This morning the 18 Wheels of Christmas Edmonton
volunteers had the privilege work an 8:30am-12pm shift at the Edmonton Food
Bank building food hampers for the less fortunate.
So it is now as I reflect what we were a
witness to today and on my own life, my heart is heavy. Growing up, we were never what you considered
a privileged family, but we never went without. Were things tight
sometimes? Absolutely, but we never went
without. My parents were always able to put food on the table, and we were
blessed.
Hearing today the statistics of the numbers
of people relying on the food bank and how the number is steadily increasing, and
what the early projections for 2016 are, you can’t help but wonder how this
could have happened. We live in Alberta, the “oil rich” province. How can it
be? Unfortunately it is a reality thousands are facing every day.
As we built food hampers and listened to
different people’s stories, I can’t imagine how these individuals that work at
the Food Bank stay so positive and uplifting being surrounded by such gloom and
personal hardship. I think it helps to have a great group of people, like
Tamisan and Vince, who continually provide the laughter and keep looking at the
good and focusing only on the positive.
While we were there, we met a homeless man,
his story is heart breaking, and the Food Bank is now his safe haven, he stops
in and is never turned away. They allow him a place to get warm, give him a
bite to eat, and he is the nicest man you would ever hope to meet. As Santa
handed out candy canes and gloves to everyone waiting, this man politely asked
if he could have two pairs of the kid’s gloves to give to his grandchildren for
a Christmas gift. When we left, he was outside and with a big grin, shouted
“Merry Christmas” to us all from across the parking lot.
We can make a difference. There is still
time to help. No man, woman, or child should ever have to go hungry.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
Merry Christmas to you and your families!
Sandra
