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Beef dip Fundraiser: another tasty success

The 3rd annual fundraiser held on Oct. 17, brought a good crowd out to the Fort St. James Secondary School gym.
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Gwen Andrews prepares donated knitted goods.

Barbara Latkowski

Caledonia Courier

The delicious scent of beef dip lingered through the Fort St. James Secondary School gymnasium as people gathered to have a taste in support of the local food bank.

The 3rd annual fundraiser, held on Oct. 17, brought out a good crowd. Young and old came as dedicated foodbank volunteers scrambled to get the mouth-watering meal under way.

As people entered, they were greeted with door prize tickets. Loonie table tickets were available and were very popular among those who attended.

Tickets could also be purchased for the auction held after the meal. Many items were up for grabs including crafts, prints, and various household items.

Gwen Andrews, president of the Stuart Lake Outreach Program, was hopeful for a good turnout. The meal was served to anyone willing to donate whatever they could and in turn, were able to enjoy a most delectable dinner.

“The program relies entirely on donations,” Andrews said. “Without donations, we couldn’t survive,” she said.

The Fort St. James Food Bank, located at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, serves 300 individuals and families in the area.

The soup kitchen is also open every Tuesday and Thursday. Various groups take their turn running the kitchen including volunteers from Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and a group, Camp Living Water, led by Pastor Larry Keestra.

“We still need a group to help out one Thursday a month,” Andrews said. “We rely on our volunteers and we can always use more,” she said.

A table with warm knitted goods was also available. Anyone could purchase an item by donation.  The goods were donated by the Dorics Society in Saltsprings, B.C. who regularly make and donate goods to Northern Churches in B.C.

Just before people began sinking their teeth into the tasty beef dip, Pastor Larry Keestra began with grace and thanked everyone for attending. “Bless our food, our fellowship, our time together tonight and enjoy your dinner,” Keestra said.

And enjoy, everyone did. As Keestra raised his guitar, he sang and strummed while dinner was enjoyed by all.

A sense of community filled the air as everyone, listened, enjoyed and ate for a good cause.

“You are giving to something that is very important,” Keestra said.

If you would like to donate or volunteer please call: (250) 567-6744.