Surrey volunteers prep 3,000 meals to deliver to Hope by helicopter

Volunteers in Surrey have handmade more than three thousand meals which will be sent to Hope via helicopter, and given out to people still stranded there after flooding and landslides closed the highways.

A former truck driver, Amarjit Dhadwar says he got dozens of calls from his friends who have been unable to leave the area since Sunday. While travelling there to lend a hand is out of the question, he says a team of volunteers felt compelled to help and began making food at Surrey’s Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib.

While someone has donated money that allowed them to pay for a chopper to fly in the food, delivery won’t be possible until Wednesday morning.

“During life, we all feel so happy to help someone. So tomorrow, we will work on it. We can’t go directly from the Lower Mainland to there, all the highway is washed out,” he tells CityNews.

“Those who are stuck, if they’re listening — be brave and hang in there. Support will be there because everyone from the Lower Mainland is ready to help. It takes some time but a lot of help is on the way.”

In addition to prepared, vegetarian meals, the group is sending jugs of milk, donuts, bread, and fresh fruit.

UPDATE: Spoke to a volunteer who says they were able to use a private helicopter and send 3000 meals. When they saw the destruction/desperation they had to jump help. Tomorrow these meals will be sent – then efforts to get trucks full of food up as well @CityNewsVAN #BCStorm https://t.co/wSW5zbV4bl

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) November 17, 2021

Because Dhadwar is in touch with people who are in Hope, there will be volunteers on hand to make sure the food gets to those who need it.

“A group of my friends, they’re stuck at a gas station. So they will receive this food and then distribute it to the needy people there.”

Plans are also being made to send truckloads of water, juice, and non-perishable food by driving through the states.

“Without a truck, it’s not possible to feed all the people, all those who are stuck,” Dhadwar adds.

The team of volunteers is accepting donations of food at the gurdwara. Dhadwar says the effort is being done in the Sikh tradition of “seva,” which roughly translates to selfless service.

“That is what it is in our blood as a Punjabi and Sikh community, we’re always ready to help others, which is always humbling for everyone. All my friends in the local community they love to see that and they’re learning and helping.”