Food security is a concern among seniors in our community. While one in six Canadians lived in a household facing a food shortage in 2020, seniors may be even more vulnerable since they are often on a fixed income or living below the poverty line.
Through DIVERSEcity’s Better At Home seniors program, a program of the United Way of British Columbia, our staff and volunteers support seniors who want to live independently in their home, with friendly visits, light housekeeping, transportation and food access. DIVERSEcity has been fortunate to count on a very generous community partner, Surrey’s Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara, for providing free hot meals to DIVERSEcity’s senior clients every week for the last few years free of charge. The Sikh temple has been providing 80 freshly made food containers on weekly basis.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara for their continuous efforts to address local food security gaps in our local seniors community,” says Kevin Tatla, Manager of DIVERSEcity’s Seniors Services. “Their thoughtful and compassionate acts of kindness have provided much-needed nutrition and support to those who need it most. We deeply appreciate the commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of local seniors.”
Recently, DIVERSEcity’s Better At Home program received top-up funding for food target services from the United Way, and Kevin presented a donation to gurdwara leaders for their ongoing support.