A Langley charity that helps feed the homeless, working poor, and low-income seniors reports demand for its services has more than doubled since the end of the pandemic.
And, Kimz Angels founder Kim Snow has noticed that some of the new clients include former supporters – people who used to make donations to the charity.
‘They’re in the line-up now,” Snow told the Langley Advance Times.
“We are desperate,” said Snow, who estimated the overall number of clients they support has increased, from about 250 to substantially more than 500 since the COVID-19 pandemic began to ease.
“That is scary,” Snow commented.
In an effort to meet the rising demand, Kimz Angels will be holding a Saturday, June 24 donation drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Murrayville IGA located just off Fraser Highway, at 22259 48th Ave., with the goal to fill several first responder vehicles with contributions.
“We’re doing fill the ambulance, fill a police car [RCMP], and possibly, a sheriff’s car.”
READ ALSO: Kimz Angels doubles up on donation drives for the needy
Snow thinks the economic aftershocks of the pandemic are hurting people on limited incomes who struggle to cover the rising cost of food and accommodation.
“Prices are unreal,” Snow remarked.
“It’s not that they don’t have jobs, they do, [but] by the time they pay their rent, they can’t afford to go get, as they call it, luxuries, and we call it staples,” Snow explained.
“They just want a bag of peppers, a chicken, you know. We call it food that we need every day, and they call it luxury stuff. That breaks my heart.”
Snow praised Kimz Angels sponsors like IGA, Costco, and Cobbs for donating, but warned those contributions by themselves don’t cover everything people need.
“We’re getting that stuff for free, and then the rest we have to go and buy,” Snow said.
“We’re using our own money.”
People who can’t make it to the June 24 event can make contributions by emailing kimzangels@hotmail.com or by phoning 604-838-6579.
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Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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