Powell River’s Knights of Columbus have donated 72 coats for children and youth to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank.
Knights of Columbus grand knight David Formosa said this is the second year his organization has donated coats to the food bank. He said Knights of Columbus has a worldwide coats for kids program, and when he took over as grand knight, he took the coats on as a pet project.
“Given the economy, we thought it would be a good program,” said Formosa. “We had heard there was no longer a coat program in Powell River, so my club talked about it and decided to do it.
“Last year, the Knights of Columbus donated 48 coats and this year we donated 72 coats. Last year, all the coats were gone and this year, before we even got to the food bank, 23 coats were already spoken for before we delivered them.”
Formosa said the local Knights of Columbus chapter is able to procure the coats through a joint buying program through the Knights of Columbus international organization. He said for every coat that the local organization buys, the international organization matches the donation.
In terms of fundraising for the coats, Knights of Columbus conducts several campaigns to raise the money. He said money comes from a charity appeal that is ongoing right now, rummage sales, bottle collections and through an advertising program run through Church of the Assumption.
Formosa said Powell River Action Centre Food Bank manager Savanna Dee indicated to him that the coats were very well received last year.
Dee said Knights of Columbus has stepped up to the plate again this year with an increased donation of coats for children and teens.
“There was such a need last year that we ran out, so we kindly thank the Knights of Columbus for helping to support the local community with such a gift,” said Dee. “This year, we have new winter coats that are wind and rain proof to give out to people in need. The Knights of Columbus have also sponsored a new donation bin for Quality Foods, and we can’t thank them enough for all their help.”
Dee said the food bank is buckling under the strain of all the new clients.
“It’s been a landslide of new people needing all kinds of help,” said Dee. “With visits doubling since 2019, and no food for the table, most parents cannot afford a new coat for their children. This is more than 30 per cent of the people we feed, and to me, it’s unacceptable.”
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
