2022 Bishop’s Appeal: Growing Together  Community Outreach Grants

Christ the King Parish- Food Hampers for Ukrainian Families

Due to the conflict in Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainian families were forced to leave their homes seeking safety and security. In the Comox Valley, over sixty-five Ukrainian families have recently arrived. Many have arrived with limited financial means in a land where the language and culture are new to them. About half of the Ukrainian families in the Comox Valley need food, accommodation, transportation, employment, advocacy, and English lessons.  

Father David Hogman, and Roger Collin, Pastoral Assistant at Christ the King in Courtenay, devised a weekly food hamper plan to help local Ukrainian families in need. With the support of a $5,000.00 donation from Diocesan 2022 Bishop’s Appeal, Parish Community and Outreach Grant this plan was put in place.  

Together with the local Ukrainian Cultural Society, Christ the King Parish identified local Ukrainian families in need and invited them to come to the church hall on Tuesday afternoons to receive food hampers, and talk to volunteers about accommodation issues, employment opportunities and receive friendly smiles and support.  

Christ the King supported 110 local Ukrainian families on four successive Tuesdays. With more money coming in through fundraising and donations, they hope to continue to run the food hamper program for more than ten weeks. 

Some of Christ the King's volunteers and staff.  From left to right:  Matt Sebolleros - CTK Young Adults Group; Kenton Doust - CTK Young Adults Group; Laura Collin - CTK Parishioner; Roger Collin - CTK Pastoral Assistant; Joanne Mawhinney - CTK Parishioner; Oksana Moisieieva - Coordinator, Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society.