Source: NewsLeader
http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=41&cat=23&id=1017539&more=0
An eye-opening experience has a group of young Sikhs trying to make a difference for the region’s homeless.
Last January, the group had an idea to bring food to the needy in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood. “We thought, a couple hundred packages should be enough to take care of the Downtown Eastside,” said Jatinder Singh with a laugh at their naiveté.
When they saw first-hand that that was just a drop in the bucket, rather than be discouraged the group simply set their sights and goals higher. “It just evolved in that night to a much more aggressive goal,” he said.
The group, an offshoot of Sikhcess, a community organization that promotes the basic Sikh principles of public service, decided to commit to a minimum of one year during which they would distribute 15,000 to 20,000 food packages in the Downtown Eastside.
Six months into the campaign, they’ve already given out more than 12,000 packages – each consisting of a curried vegetable wrap, a dessert and a beverage – and are no longer limiting themselves to the Main and Hastings area. The next distribution is being planned for New Westminster on the July 21 weekend.