Knights of Columbus, with the help of the Oliver Food Bank, help needy families
They keep coming, and coming…
One after another, local residents have been streaming into the office here at the Chronicle, arms loaded with Christmas cheer – in the form of Tummy Bags filled to the brim – so full, most of these brown paper bags have begun to rip at the seams.
When Wayne Danbrook with the Oliver Knights of Columbus first got in contact with us to inquire as to whether or not the Chronicle would once again help support this program, I let him know immediately that we would continue with this great community initiative.
It’s a tradition now into its 43rd year.
So, more than 1,000 Tummy Bags went out in the Chronicle Nov. 26, and since that time, they have been coming back filled with food.
Many people even brought extra bags with them.
Vince Harvey with the Oliver Knights of Columbus picks up Tummy Bags at the Chronicle office, one of the main drop-off points for residents to show their generosity and donate food to families in need. Anna Krechuniak photo
Vince Harvey of the Knights of Columbus has been the lucky K of C member charged with picking up these bags, and delivering them to Christ the King Church, the distribution point for residents to pick up their hampers. He informed me as soon as the Tummy Bags were sent out that he would be making a few trips to the Chronicle every day.
He wasn’t joking. In fact, our front lobby area has constantly been stocked better than some smaller grocery stores, forcing Vince to visit our place of work 4-5 times a day to pick up the food.
So, all that food, thousands of pounds of it, is now being sorted at Christ the King Church, and being prepared to fill hampers for less fortunate Oliver families.
Some 200 families have applied for hampers, and due to the hard work of Knights of Columbus members, and the generosity of local residents, many people will be able to eat well, and hand out presents at Christmas.
We at the Chronicle are proud to partner with the Knights of Columbus, and the many other local businesses, and people, who worked hard to make this Christmas a memorable one for many people. And, for all the right reasons.
The stencilling on these brown bags says it all.
“Fill a Bag, Fill a Tummy.”
Meantime, over at The Bargain Shop in Oliver Place Mall, manager Anne Williamson continued with the tradition, and continues to raise money, and toys, through The Bargain Shop’s second annual Toy Drive for the Knights of Columbus.
By last weekend, the big box located in the front of the store had been filled many times over, and the goal of raising $1,100 had been surpassed by more than $1,000.
Food donations. Toy donations. Monetary donations.
Many Oliver residents giving their time, their money and their food so that people in need can enjoy a great Christmas.
That’s what it’s all about.
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
