For the third consecutive year, Van City Credit Union has granted $10,000 to St. Dunstan's Anglican Church in Aldergrove for their work in the "Garden to Table" community project.
Van City Credit Union representatives April Jackson and Lisa Boughen of the Van City Langley Branch attended the church's weekly community dinner on April 24 to present the cheque.
The grant provides funds towards a multi-faceted program.
The three key elements include a community vegetable, fruit and herb garden on the church property which provides food not only for the Thursday community meal, but also produce to use in the weekly cooking classes.
Two other related aspects of the program are cooking classes for lower income and new immigrant families, and a weekly gathering of people from the Aldergrove area who share in a meal prepared by and for themselves, along with members from St. Dunstan's.
These programs are hosted by the people of St. Dunstan's to provide a comfortable and safe place for learning and sharing.
The church also provides space and volunteers for a free, weekly English as a second language class for newcomers.
"St. Dunstan's provides funds for these various programs through application for grants from local community support channels such as Van City, who have been generously supporting us for three years, as well as from funds raised within the church community to continue this work," said Doug Tindall, spokesperson for the Mission and Ministry Steering Committee.
The Garden to Table volunteer kitchen crew for the day (from left) Mary Gillanders, Linda Davies, Norma Haas and Becky Jones. People take turns doing the preparation and cooking.