The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has completed the series of “Care for Humanity” events in Canada scheduled for the whole month of August.

Carried out under the auspices of the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, Inc., the humanitarian arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the series of the socio-civic event benefited five cities in five Canadian provinces.

The last of the outreach series took place at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre Arena in Red Deer, a city located midway of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, Alberta, on August 21.

The first four were held in Montreal, Quebec on August 7; Toronto, Ontario on August 12; Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 14; and Vancouver, British Columbia on August 19.

The Care for Humanity event in Red Deer City, hosted by the ecclesiastical districts of Calgary and Edmonton, started with a video presentation introducing the Church Of Christ.

Afterwards, brethren-volunteers led by ministers and ministerial workers from the host districts handed out more than 2,000 care packages to the beneficiaries.

In addition, four local charitable organizations, namely, The John Howard Society of Red Deer, Catholic Social Services, The Mustard Seed, and the CARE for Newcomers, each received from the Church a cheque worth 2,000 Canadian dollars.

City leaders observed that the holding of the humanitarian activity proved timely as food insecurity has continued to be felt, even in Canada.

“Not only historic, monumental, but also much needed. Because many, many people are thinking that, ‘Oh, Canada is a first world country and this is not needed in this place,” said Rosman Valencia, New Democratic Party (NDP)-Calgary East Nominee. “However we do; and the Church Of Christ is filling the gaps of poverty here, making sure that there’s help. This is such an important work and please do continue. Mabuhay po kayo (‘Long live’)!”

Bruce Buruma, deputy mayor of Red Deer, who was present in the activity, said, “All people working towards such a good cause are really valuable. You, as a faith community, came together to make this possible. And it’s making an impact across our community. So we are grateful.”

This outreach tour was part of the celebration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)’s golden anniversary in Canada, for which leaders and representatives of the said charities extended greetings. “On your birthday, you are giving presents out to the community. So, thank you so much for blessing us this way,” said Tyler Hildebrandt, development specialist of The Mustard Seed.

“The Iglesia Ni Cristo has been able to conduct these large-scale Care for Humanity events across Canada through the help and guidance of the Almighty God. This will certainly not be the last one,” said Brother Rolando Gaviola, Calgary District supervising minister. — With reports from INC News Section