PIT Stop program at Kamloops United Church
PIT STOP

PIT Stop program helps people in transition escape the heat for Sunday rib feast

Aug 7, 2022 | 6:02 PM

KAMLOOPS — While some people are feasting on a rack of ribs at Ribfest, the PIT Stop campaign aims to lend a helping hand to the community for their free rib feast.

“We know we have RibFest in town so we have people here who can’t necessarily afford to go buy ribs at the Ribfest and be a part of that so that’s kind of the incentive behind of that to give some really beautiful food to people who would be able to afford that,” says Tomas Bijok, PIT Stop Coordinator.

PIT Stop which stands for “People in Transition” provides a hot meal to guests who may be seniors, youths, families, or people who may be marginalized or homeless.

Lesra and Cheryl Martin have assisted the program for four years and are happy to help out.

“Ribfest is the perfect weekend, we’re foodies and we love cooking, we’re from backgrounds where a meal is love and food is love,” says Cheryl.

“You can’t afford 20 or 30 dollars to go down partake in it, on this particular weekend when this is going on for us, this really motivates me so that people who can’t afford it don’t feel totally left out,” adds Lesra.

For people who are homeless or in a difficult situation, the initiative helps them escape the heat and eat a hot meal.

“One thing that I’ve learned through this process is that you never really know someone’s story, and to give without discrimination, inviting everyone in with a warm smile putting a plate of food in front of their face is a beautiful thing that we can do,” adds Bijok.

Thomas Macfadyen says he’s been homeless for months, and this program has helped in more ways than one.

“Everybody’s jacked their rent up times three, and it’s really hard to find a place in my budget range right now and everybody else is going through the same thing and that’s why they’re here right, one of the reasons,” says Thomas Macfadyen.

PIT Stop has also inspired Macfadyen to volunteer.

“I came [to Kamloops] and I’ve been on the streets since. I’ve been looking for work and all that, and I knew [the coordinator] so I decided to ask if they needed volunteers again.”

At the end of the day, Bijok and the PIT Stop crew want to reduce the impacts of poverty by providing food and support in a caring and safe environment.

“It warms my heart at the end of service people come up and thank for the food and say it was a great meal and thank you so much, last week I remember hearing from someone “I haven’t eaten in four days thank you so much” so it really touches your heart.”

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