Alice Kolisnyk with the Red Deer Food Bank (middle), members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church, and invited guest Mayor Tara Veer stand in front of over 300 boxes full of non-perishable items donated to the food bank on Saturday. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

approximately 350 boxes

Iglesia Ni Cristo Church makes large food bank donation

Oct 31, 2020 | 2:04 PM

The local congregation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church made another huge donation on Saturday to the Red Deer Food Bank.

The donation is part of the church’s Aid to Humanity initiative, which they also used to help the food bank in Red Deer last spring.

“We believe that the best way to show our love for our fellow men, especially in these difficult times, due to COVID-19 pandemic and worsening economic recession, is to unite in helping one another, to heal as one, and make kindness contagious to inspire more and more people in doing good works,” said Brother Roland Gaviola, District Minister of Calgary.

“Every family in Iglesia Ni Cristo – Church Of Christ in Red Deer prepared boxes of food to donate to the Red Deer Food Bank.”

Members from congregations in Ponoka, Lacombe, Olds and Rocky Mountain House also contributed.

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“With its Aid to Humanity program, the Iglesia Ni Cristo embraces the teaching of the Bible to love neighbours, countrymen, and brethren,” Gaviola added. “The Iglesia Ni Cristo delivers humanitarian aid all over the world, especially in calamity hit areas, and is committed to aiding communities by providing immediate and long-term solutions in its campaign to fight poverty. The INC’s projects include programs that provide livelihood and education.”

In all on Saturday, the group dropped off close to 350 boxes full of various non-perishable food items to the Red Deer Food Bank.

Food bank Deputy Director, Alice Kolisnyk, says the donation will have a huge impact on their operations, literally and figuratively.

“It’s going to fill our shelves which will need extra filling this year because of the situation everybody’s in,” says Kolisnyk. “We’re in a good place even compared to last year. In light of the pandemic, people have been super supportive. Our shelves are well stocked and we’re getting geared up for the holiday season and the extra help that will be needed.”