Each year around this time, I try to act as a Secret Santa. You know, do something nice for someone else anonymously.

This year, I’m going public.

I was watching the CBC news tonight and saw a story on the Surrey Food Bank. I paid close attention since next week is Nat and Drew’s Food Bank Fillup, so I was watching for good stories to re-tell next week when we’re on location at Safeway, and asking for donations.

The story was all about the kids and families that use the Food Bank. How parents dilute the formula for infants to stretch it out. Jen and I used formula for Z and I, with a good job and roof over my head, was shocked at how much it cost. I can’t imagine being a single parent on income assistance trying to swallow that bill at the checkout every few days.

The reporter interviewed a few parents and posted their names in a crawl alongside the story. I looked one of them up on Facebook.

Jennifer has two children, is on income assistance and uses the Surrey Food Bank. She left her phone number on a friend’s photo, so I called her up – determined to do something. I asked her what she needed and told her I would canvas some friends online to help out.

After posting a couple brief notes on Twitter, I received instant responses from several followers and quickly gathered promises of shoes, baking, sweaters, gift certificates and cash. Wow.

@kathystilwell @mynameiskate @thinktomdotcom @Tania94 @shanegibson @2marra @tyamdm @megfowler @rebeccacoleman @bzijian have all stepped up … so far …

I’ve been trading some Facebook messages with Jennifer tonight, and I thought you might like to know a bit more of her story:

i wanted people to know that its not just the Street People(homeless) who use the food bank, its the other people in our community that use it as well.

i dont have a car but im able to use my neighbor’s car when i have to do groceries.. otherwise i walk or take the bus.
i am close to Walmart, toysRus and london drugs
i do most of my grocery shopping at super store.. i try to make my money strech..lol
my sons name is Cayden and he’ll be 3 on feb 9th
my daughters name is Abigayle and she’ll be 1 on jan 4th
cayden is really into Deigo and dora right now.. he loves trains and cars and airplanes, pop-up books are a few of his favorites.
my daughter loves anything with buttons and lights.

i just cant thank you enough for everything!! you have answered my prayers.

Next week is Nat and Drew’s Food Bank Fillup. I’ll be asking for generic help for people every day on the radio, today in just a few minutes on Twitter I asked for specific help for one family and it came in an instant.

That’s the kind of change we can affect when we feel the Spirit of Christmas.

Thanks to those who have helped so far, there’s always room for more.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

Tags: charity