OVER the past two weeks Avjaut Bassi, Grade 11 student at North Delta Secondary, has been busy organizing a fundraising campaign to help victims of the recent flooding in Hope.

By last Friday (November 26), the Hope 4 Hope Flood Food Drive had collected more than 1,200 food items for this very important cause.

“I was horrified to see the devastation caused by the recent flooding. It was heartbreaking to see this happening in our own backyard. I thought to myself ‘If I have the power to make a difference, why wouldn’t I?’ I made my mind up to help and a day later the food drive was up and running.” said Avjaut.

“The response has been amazing. We are so thankful for the generosity of our school and local community. Every little bit of help for the flood victims is going to make a big difference in peoples’ lives.”

At the end of the day on Friday, November 26, Avjaut and her mom packed up the food items and delivered them to Northside Community Church in Delta and Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey, the collection points for food items for the Surrey Food Bank and the Guru Nanak Food Bank, respectively. These organizations have arranged to have the food taken to Hope by helicopter and given to those in need.

Among the food items collected were canned food, peanut butter, jam, rice, dried lentils, dried pasta, mac and cheese boxes, noodles, cereal, cookies, crackers, flour, sugar, cooking oil, condiments, granola bars, pancake mix, baby formula and food and juice boxes.

“What a great initiative by Avjaut to help those impacted by the recent devastating floods,” said North Delta Secondary Principal Aaron Akune. “I am so proud of her and the entire school community for their dedication to helping those in need. Way to go Huskies!”

(Courtesy: Delta School District)