More than 150 hot dogs and 40 hamburgers were handed out to Langley’s less fortunate on Friday afternoon during a barbecue that raised awareness of substance abuse issues in the community.
The event was held in the parking lot of Friends Langley Vineyard Church to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, which is held each year on Aug. 31 in cities around the world to honour those who have died from drug-related overdoses.
Organized by Friends Langley Vineyard Church, Kimz Angels, Langley Lookout Society, Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, LCSS Intensive Case Management Team, Zealous Art, Fraser Health and Langley Division of Family Practice, the event served both as an outreach opportunity, and a community social.
READ MORE: Langley outreach groups mark International Overdose Awareness Day
“It’s about raising awareness and letting the community know that there’s a team of us working together to make a difference,” said Kim Snow, founder of Kimz Angels.
“Don’t judge, that’s what I always say. When working together, we do make things happen.”
Pastor Leith White of Friends Langley Vineyard Church said it’s important when building this awareness to take the issue out into the open where the most vulnerable people are.
“All of these groups (helping with the barbecue) are within a two block radius, and I think one of the highest successes in Langley has been … that we really started to change the way we worked. Not in silos — but working together as a team,” White said.
“This is strengthening part of our community by saying, let’s bring it out into the open and reduce the stigma behind people who are struggling with addiction.”
miranda@langleytimes.com
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