Thanksgiving is the perfect time for reflection. It's a time to look back on all of the bounty and blessings that we have. A time to realize how fortunate we are to live in such a great nation as Canada. A time to realize that the standard of living we have grown accustomed to can only be dreamed of by most of the world.
We have our gizmos and gadgets, nice cars, comfortable homes, name brand clothes, vacations, video games, smart phones, cable, internet the list could go on and on. Most of us enjoyed a plentiful Thanksgiving meal surrounded by family or friends. We ate until we could eat no more. We feasted on the abundance that we are fortunate to have.
But what about those who aren't so blessed? What about those who are struggling due to job loss, disability, mental illness, disease, or any of the myriad of reasons that can make life hard? Do we in our abundance sometimes forget those who have less?
Our local food bank is frequently struggling financially. Donations are down, needs are up. Time and effort must be spent on fundraising events. When the organizations that are trying to help those who are suffering are themselves struggling, those who need help the most suffer more.
Castlegar is an amazing and generous community that we are all fortunate to be a part of. It has been said that a society can be judged by how it treats its weakest members. With the Thanksgiving holiday still in our hearts and minds, I think it is a great time that we as a community share what we have with those weaker members.
A yearly budget of $60,000 enables the Community Harvest Food Bank to continue the current services it offers, including the typical food bank services, several hot meals each week and an emergency shelter.
What would it take to meet that budget? Castlegar has 3200 households. If each household donated $18.75 per year, the budget would be met. That is the equivalent of $1.56 per month. Annually, that is like giving up one trip through the fast food drive thru, four lattes, a movie ticket and popcorn or one meal at your favorite restaurant.
Not much to ask when one considers the bounty that surrounds us.
Monetary donations for the Community Harvest Food Bank are the most useful and can be mailed c/o 301- 32nd Street, Castlegar, BC V1N3S6 or dropped off downtown at the Station Museum.