Ucluelet’s Food Bank on the Edge Society celebrated an early Easter party on March 21 as 20 gift baskets were delivered to their doorstep.
The baskets were put together by local youth who had applied for and received a Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust to help spread joy and tasty treats to families in need this Easter.
“It’s fun to support kids so that they can work together to help the community,” CBT executive director Rebecca Hurwitz told the Westerly News outside the food bank on Sunday.
Daphne Hurwitz, Percy Udell and Kesler Taron were all smiles as they delivered their baskets to food bank volunteers and they each told the Westerly News that they were happy to find a way to have fun together while helping their community.
“It makes me feel that I did something good for my community,” eight-year-old Hurwitz told the Westerly. “It’s kind and helpful.”
Kristi Udell said she was delighted to see her eight-year-old son Percy participate in the project.
“I’m just proud that they’re learning that it is a great thing to help others and provide things for the community that some people might not have,” she said.
The food bank’s executive director Cris Martin said she became emotional when she heard the kids’ had hatched a plan to put such a delicious donation together.
“After I stopped crying, I was quite joyous,” she said. “Some families cannot afford to have Easter baskets for their kids and these children decided it was a good idea to bring some cheer to some kids in our community…It’s very, very warming. It’s like a big hug.”
She said the food bank is excited to be able to distribute the baskets to local families in the days leading up to Easter.
“This is the kind of stuff we just love to do and be part of,” she said. “We’re very grateful for all the community support. We’re very happy and feel very loved and appreciated in the community and it’s just a really nice feeling to be able to take this extension of what these kids did and pass it along.”
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
READ MORE: Tofino and Ucluelet food initiatives share support
READ MORE: VIDEO: Tofino celebrates annual Easter Egg Hunt
READ MORE: Ucluelet’s food bank bursting with generosity as COVID-19 increases need