Across Canada, churches and other groups have come together to sponsor thousands of refugees from war-torn Syria.
Through these efforts, as many as 25,000 people affected by that crisis will find new homes in Canada. But the majority of Syrians in desperate need of help do not want to come to Canada. They are in places like Lebanon and Jordan, or within Syria itself, and they want to go home to rebuild their lives when the war ends.
People who want to help Syrian refugees in those countries, through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, can do so through the Make a Difference Auction at McClary Stockyard in Abbotsford on March 24.
Altogether, over 11 million people have been affected by the conflict. About eight million people within Syria have been displaced from their homes, and another four million people have fled the country to live as refugees in surrounding countries.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is responding to these needs, providing emergency food for families displaced from their homes.
With support from the Canadian government, since November 2012, the Foodgrains Bank has provided over $29 million in emergency food assistance for people affected by the Syrian crisis in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
More help is needed; although there is talk of peace, it will be a long time before these refugees can go home. In the meantime, they will continue to require assistance.
The Make a Difference Auction in Abbotsford begins at 10:30 a.m., featuring items such as donated cattle, agricultural goods and services, and other items such as cheese, plants and household goods.
Funds donated through the auction will be matched four-to-one by the Canadian government.
Started in 2001, the annual Make a Difference Auction has raised over $1.4 million for the Foodgrains Bank.