A local church is reaching out to care for community health workers and family-run restaurants in the face of COVID-19.
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church has launched an initiative it’s calling Triple Blessing.
The idea came from a church member, who approached her pastor and suggested that the congregation could show love to the community in a tangible way by supporting small businesses and encouraging frontline staff in care homes with the gift of food.
On Thursday, April 23, the initiative saw 28 boxed dinners delivered to the care-home staff at Normanna Care Home – with food supplied by a local independent restaurant, paid for by donations to the Triple Blessing program.
“These small but significant expressions of encouragement and care are simple ways that all of us can help each other through this difficult time,” said Andrew Beunk, a pastor at the church, in a press release. “When the idea was shared with our staff and board, there was an immediate, ‘Let’s do this!’”
The program has been named Triple Blessing because of the three-fold benefits it brings: small businesses get a lift in the face of a financial crisis; workers in care homes get extra encouragement at a particularly difficult time; and the giver is blessed by reaching out to people in need.
Anyone who wants to take part is welcome to make donations: 100% of the money received goes towards purchasing meals. One $10 donation will provide a locally prepared meal for a neighbourhood care-home worker.
You can make a donation online via Paypal Giving, and you can also share notes of encouragement and thanks for care home workers.
If you know of any small, family-run eateries in the church neighbourhood whose business is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re also invited to make suggestions.
Check out bit.ly/tripleblessing for all the details.
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church is at 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. See https://www.nwcrc.ca/ for more.
