“I’ve been in that line before. I’ve needed a meal, and I’ve needed hope.”
Those are the words of Janice Szostak, an alumna of the Vancouver-based Union Gospel Mission sanctuary stabilization program. Szostak added she wouldn’t let COVID fatigue exhaust her efforts to give back to the Downtown Eastside community that means so much to her.
“That’s why I am here - I want to give back, give people a chance to see that life can get better,” she said in a recent release.
This Saturday (Oct. 9) Szostak worked to give back to UGM by helping to serve hundreds of Thanksgiving Meals to others struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction.
Served in to-go containers to stay within COVID-19 restrictions, UGM managed to hand out 1,200 lbs of turkey, 400 lbs of mashed potatoes, 400 lbs of vegetables and 285 pies. Altogether that comes out to 1,400 complete Thanksgiving meals.
“We know that our community - both those experiencing homelessness and addiction, and those serving on the frontlines, are exhausted.” says UGM’s Nadia Tchoumi. “This Thanksgiving meal provides us all an opportunity to feel hope for the future, and gratitude for the good that has happened this year, despite the enormous amount of loss and pain.”
