Monday evenings snowfall saw the first opening of extra shelter beds for this winter in Abbotsford. Again this year Dave Murray of the Abbotsford Food Bank is co-ordinator. The Salvation Army again serves as the hub to which those in need of shelter from the inclement weather go and from where the overflow is transported to the extra extreme weather shelter beds at other locations. Although the new Director at the Salvation Army, Pastor Andy Kwak, may well find extreme weather in the lower mainland pretty whimpy compared to his old home of Edmonton.

Welcome on board and thank you to Grace Evangelical Bible Church, who opened their gymnasium. Big thank you to Seven Oaks Alliance Church for returning to open their doors and floorspace again this year. With the increase in the numbers of homeless on our streets, especially the growing numbers of those with little experience surviving as homeless, these spaces could prove badly needed life-savers.

On other matters of helping the homeless and hungry poor we need to thank Bethel Reformed Church for coming out and serving lunch Sunday November 19th. I hope you found the experience and chance to meet people enlightening and that we will see you again.

Big thanks to the brother and sister-in-law who again covered for the Open Door who, through the gereousity of spirit of these family members, kept their commitment to be there to feed the hungry. Thanks also to the good people at Little Caesars Pizza who, having a large order cancelled, sent the pizza to feed the hungry rather than waste it in the waste.

A final thank you to the regular Monday volunteers kitchen/meal volunteers at the Salvation Army who choose to come in on the Remembrance Day holiday Monday so that the dining room could be opened and the hungry eat inside and warm.

Obviously there are good and compassionate people in Abbotsford, the support and help is there or can be found. What we need in order to end homlessness in Abbotsford within ten years is leadership and the will to end homelessness.