Feeding children close to home

Chilliwack Optimist Club donates
to the Feed the Children Program

My friend Brian Phillips (center) has a favorite project that he ushers through the Chilliwack Optimist Club every year. It might hit with some resistance along the way, but with his drive and personality, the club contributes in a major way every year to make certain that children can get a free lunch every day from the Feed the Children Program at Bowls of Hope. 

Why would there be any type of resistance to such a great campaign? Anytime that an organization raises large sums of money to give away to another organization, people might wonder why. After all, money is needed to operate their own club or organization. 

This is what makes an Optimist Club so special. Because of their local involvement in community causes, and their drive to fit in where they are needed most, Optimist Club members choose the projects that they want to be involved with. And for the Chilliwack Optimist Club, the Bowls of Hope Feed the Children Program comes out on top every year. 

This year, the Chilliwack Optimist Club donated $20,000 to the program. Last year they donated a little more, but that included the van that you see in the picture. The program requires between $30,000 and $35,000 each year, so corporate sponsors are sought as well. The meals are cooked in the Chilliwack Community Correctional Facility kitchen, involving more people in positive service learning opportunities. 

Ten schools are provided approximately 450 meals each day during the school year. According to school administrators, the program has had an added benefit: absenteeism has gone down. More children are in class and learning. What a great project!