By Balwant Sanghera
Guru Nanak Food Bank (GNFB) has been doing an amazing job since its formation on July 1, 2020. Responding to the growing needs of vulnerable and needy people including international students during the pandemic, GNFB has grown steadily. For the past three years, GNFB has served more than 16,000 people, nearly 60 % of them international students. It continues to providemuch needed help to international and needy students who need more than food for themselves. GNFB has been doing a commendable job helping those who need it the most.
Before establishing Guru Nanak Food Bank, this group of dedicated volunteers were providing Welcome Packages to international students, victims of the pandemic and anyone else who needed help. These Welcome Packages consisted of mattresses, blankets, bedsheets and pillows etc. About the same time, Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib situated at 152 Avenue and 68 Avenue in Surrey, was getting large donations of groceries like sugar, atta, salt, lentils and spices etc. The Gurdwara management offered these groceries to Guru Nanak Food Bank for onward transmission to the needy clients of the food bank. In this process,this registered charity was handing out groceries and other items worth close to $9,000 per week.As the demand increased the organizers felt the need for a permanent venue for the food bank and make it more sustainable.
GNFB serves 1600 people everymonth through its food distribution programs. Recently, it offered much needed support and assistance to Kelowna Fire Department in fighting the devastating wild fires there. .Moreover, GNFB provides school supplies to two school districts ensuring that the students have necessary resources to succeed in school .It also holds successful food and blanket drives to help the needy. On top of that, GNFB hosts seminars and workshops aimed at improving mental health and other challenges facing community members. It is living up to its motto of: Serving Hope Daily.
It needs to be stressed that Guru Nanak Food Bank receives no grants. Donations form philanthropists and the community are its only and main source. During this short period, this food bank has become a multi- million dollar enterprise totally from donations and the Guru’sblessings. GNFB, in order to thank its supporters, volunteers and donors held a very successful THANKSGIVING LUNCH on Monday, October9 at spacious Reflections Banquet Hall at 6638 152 A Street in Surrey. The lunch was hosted by one of its founding members and current director Jatinder Jay Minhas. It was very well attended.
The food was excellent and the welcome provided by the organizers was commendable.The overflowing banquet hall included a number of community leaders including Minister of Labour Harry Bains, Minister of Education Rachna Singh, Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, Akali Singh Gurdwara team,Amrik Singh Nijjer( Nanaksar Gurdwara) , Sudarshan Bakhshi(Janta ( Sewak Society) and many others. Members of the GNFB management led by its president Giani Narinder Singh and directors welcomed the attendees. On their behalf, Director and host of the lunch, Jatinder JayMinas thanked the volunteers, donors and supporters of GNFB for their attendance and on-going support.
Balwant Sanghera is a retired School Psychologist and Community Activist.
