The basement of Como Lake United Church was steamy with bodies and a hot lunch being served by the Coquitlam branch of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Volunteers in blue and white uniforms served soup and a bun to dozens of people who were chatting amiably as they sat waiting at large round tables. Around the room, more volunteers were registering people for the food bank and organizing hampers.
It was food bank day at Como Lake last Wednesday and it looked just like a church supper of yesteryear.
For members of the Tzu Chi Foundation, who were serving the meal, the winter relief efforts are part of charitable good works they have been doing in the community for 10 years.
This year, the members of the Buddhist compassion relief organization served lunch at three food banks in the Tri-Cities and they handed out 750 gift bags of hygiene items, such as toothpaste and toilet paper.
Tzu Chi member Mac Miao said the lunches are just one of the international organization's charitable efforts. Tzu Chi is also building two schools in earthquake-devastated Haiti and Miao plans to visit in August to help. He was part of the original relief efforts and says the students need a new school because several hundred of them are having to do lessons in a large gym - which was repaired by Tzu Chi volunteers.
Closer to home, Tzu Chi is working with health authorities to establish a clinic for people recovering from strokes using traditional Chinese and Western medicine, Miao said.
But last Wednesday, the focus was on local people who are struggling to make ends meet.
Como Lake food bank co-ordinator Sandy Burpee said food bank day was extremely busy at the church. "It was as if everyone woke up and decided to come to the food bank," Burpee said.
As many as 134 people turned up to collect a hamper and Tzu Chi volunteers ran out of hygiene bags and had to go out and get more.
"We are very grateful for them coming," Burpee said. "Just the fact that they have compassion for low-income households, I think is very much appreciated by clients."
Como Lake United Church has been operating a food bank for eight years.
