From Coaldale to Syria: Sunny South region Responds to Hunger 

What an incredible heritage of supporting those less fortunate exists in Southern Alberta!

Whether across the street, or around the world, our region has stepped up again and again.

I’ve seen firsthand the impact on individuals when they experience a “hand-up” in their time of need.

It’s been my privilege to serve beside many who share in the effort to help from our abundance. Locally, the Coaldale Food Bank Society has served the needs of the hungry for many years.

Behind the selfless frontline staff and volunteers, are a volunteer Board of folks, from different backgrounds and faiths, who choose to work together to make a difference in the community they call home.

Some may have spent time on the other side of the counter, others come to it from not only a recognition of the needs of their fellow man, but also the urge to respond to it. It’s amazing!

Many of the same folks step forward to respond to hunger around the globe too.

Through great organizations like the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the needs of the hungry are being met, lives changed daily.

Extreme poverty and Hunger are actually decreasing through these efforts.

It’s well documented. I believe our success in meeting these needs is primarily based on our ability to set aside our differences and work together on our common goal – to help our neighbour in his or her time of need.

It doesn’t matter so much why we step forward to help, but that we step forward and help.

It seems many in our region understand and act on two main things: 1) an understanding that we are perhaps only several circumstances away from being in serious need ourselves, and 2) that we live in perhaps the best country in the world, and therefore ought to act.

The bonus is in how good we feel for helping out!

With Thanksgiving still in our minds, and Christmas around the corner, let’s recognize a job well done, and remember to keep up the good work!

Merry Christmas to all!

ED DONKERSGOED
Past board member – Coaldale Foodbank Society
Board member – Coaldale-Lethbridge Foodgrains Growing Project

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