Joanne is an incredible, selfless senior who has spent more than thirty years quietly dedicating her life to feeding the hungry feeding and supporting the unhoused across the Fraser Valley and in Vancouver. Three years ago, along with friend and neighbour Pam, she co-founded FACT (Friends Action Care Team) which is the community that makes all of this possible.
Living modestly in a mobile home park, Joanne and Pam spend almost every day collecting, organizing, preparing and distributing food and supplies to those who need it most — all driven by compassion and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Every week, Joanne drives her 2008 Dodge Caravan, with more than 332,000 km on it, to pick up food donations in Surrey and dog food donations in New Westminster. They pack it full to the brim. She and Pam then deliver these items to local food banks (including local Reserves and Churches) and personally prepares (cooks from scratch) and delivers hundreds of meals for unhoused individuals in Mission, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Hope, and occasionally downtown Vancouver. True animal lovers, they also provides pet food and supplies to those with canine companions, ensuring that both people and their pets are cared for. They deliver nourishment with hearts of care and love, without a shred of judgement.
Joanne's mobile home and several neighboring sheds are filled with supplies they store and distribute. They asks for nothing in return. Despite living on a fixed income, Joanne spends hundreds per month of her own money on gas, van repairs, and other essentials such as condiments, utensils, and equipment to prepare meals (commercial bread cutters and meat slicers). Her aging vehicle — overflowing with food and supplies and the backbone of the outreach — has now become beyond repair, leaving her at risk of being unable to continue this vital work. In order to be able to continue this mission, I have set up this campaign to raise funds for a reliable replacement van and to offset some of her fuel costs. Joanne is a remarkable example of selflessness and community spirit, and I believe she deserves a blessing as she so richly blesses others.
Please check out the FACT Facebook page for more photos! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571393285485
Check out the video!