When a new grocery store celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, the Burnaby Christmas Bureau will get an extra boost in its coffers.
The new Buy-Low Foods in Parkcrest Plaza recently opened its doors for the first time and this coming Saturday, it's hosting a grand opening celebration slated to include contests, giveaways, food samples and more.
Manager Don Symington told the NOW that they'll be collecting donations for the bureau as part of the festivities. The bureau provides toys and food for low-income families at Christmas.
"We (chose the bureau) because we wanted an organization in the community, to have a chance to give back to Burnaby - and with the time of year, it all clicked together," he said.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at 5901 E. Broadway, just east of Holdom.
For more, see www.buy-lowfoods.com.
Helping out
There are a number of other ways to help the bureau this year, including:
- Financial donations: donate online at the bureau's website at http://burnabycommunityconnections.com; send a cheque to 204-2101 Holdom Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5B 0A4; donate by credit card by phone at 604-299-5778; drop off a cash or cheque donation at the bureau's new temporary location at Metropolis at Metrotown, on the upper level near Winners, in Unit E8.
- Participate in the Angel Wall program: this program is a toy drive program held by schools, community groups or local businesses. The bureau provides decorative angel themed cards with the gender and age of a child written on each one, as well as posters that can be used to encourage participation. Individual participants then choose an angel, purchase a toy for the appropriate age and gender and bring the gift back to the organization for drop-off at the bureau's toy room.
- Sponsor a family: the Burnaby Christmas Bureau matches families with a group that provide them with a food hamper and gifts. These groups can include companies, religious groups, school groups, families, or individuals. The sponsor has direct contact with the family.
For more information about the bureau, including information about registration (running until Dec. 1) see http://burnabycommunityconnections.com.
