The Salvation Army in Port Alberni has opened its first satellite community pantry, called the Food Cupboard, where people can come and donate food or take what they need.
We expect a few more donations to arrive by mail for the next week or so. That means the final total will go even higher. COVID-19 has helped some people and some businesses, but many others have been hurt. There is real suffering in our community, and the Christmas Fund is here to help, in the holiday season and in the months to come. Even with the vaccine being rolled out, it’s generally thought that the harsh impact will continue to be felt for a few more months. Some businesses might not recover until 2022 or 2023 and that means that the people who rely on those businesses might have trouble coping.
One notable comment, which came with a $500 donation: “At our ages, 91 and 87, we are very fortunate. We’re making this donation to help the many needy people during this dreadful pandemic.” The campaign has been pushed ahead by match challenges, including 10 by Andrew Beckerman, as well as large donations from local residents, businesses and organizations such as the Victoria Foundation. By the end of business on Tuesday, we had received about 3,800 individual contributions. The money will be used to help local organizations help people in need. The fund is run by a charitable society, which will strive to draw lasting impact from this money, change that will help our extended community in the cold, rainy months of January and February.