Hi folks - we are so excited with our
new DIRECTION. We are now supporting the Directions Youth Centre on
Burrard Street Family Services Vancouver. We are meeting once a month to
prepare lunch bags with a sandwich, fresh fruit, cookie, juice etc. that can
be refrigerated for a few days. They have about 15 kids working at Street
Youth Jobs (SYJ) and these lunches provide the energy and nutrition they
need for their work day.
In February John Kehler of Directions joined us to tell us more about their
programs. It was great to hear about their approach to youth, the assistance
that they provide and the resources available. Most important to us was the
message that our nutritious lunches do make a difference to the youth. We
have received a package of thank you cards from the centre that I will
share with you on Saturday.
Following discussions with John , we have made some small changes in our set
up. We are now assembling 50 lunch bags and providing the balance of the
sandwiches in loaves and the groceries in their original packing. This
format eases storage challenges at Directions and also reduces our assembly
task and the transportation problem, so it is working well for everyone.
We have also added smoked chicken and roast beef to our sandwich
selections , as an alternative for those who do not eat pork products.
In addition to the food for the centre, I would like to collect one category
of items from their wish list. This month I have selected Underwear :
socks (clean used socks are fine)
boxers - all
sizes (for both girls and guys)
If you are able to contribute to our collection please bring the items on
Saturday April 19th or drop them by the office during the week. A wish
list for each month is being compiled, starting with a few items noted
below. Please add your own suggestions so we can have a project each month.
The centre has also requested videos, board games, art supplies and kitchen
appliances like toasters, microwave ovens etc. If you have something you
are not sure about, I can inquire so just give me a call. 604-224-7918 or
604-454-7446 or 604-640-3306.
Hope to see you all at the Great Hall at 9 am. on Saturday April 19th
and please bring a friend to join in the fun. We really need your helping
hands to make light work! Please bring meat or cheese, pickles, relish etc.
for sandwiches.
Blessings
Joanne
Future dates -
April 19 -
May 31 - summer - baseball hats, T-shirts, shorts, sandals
June 21 - sunscreen, Band-Aids, hand lotion, shampoo, soap
July 26 -
August 16
September 27 - Thanksgiving
October 18 - bedding - sleeping bags, tarps, plastic drop sheets, blankets
November 15 - vitamins, cough drops, Tylenol, toques and gloves
December 20 - Christmas - movie passes, bus tickets, bowling gift
certificates, coffee certificates
2009
January 24 - Valentines - videos, board games, books
February 21 -
March 28 - Easter
April 18
May 16
June 20
