By Ezra Black
Times get tough for everyone now and again and people are afraid to ask for help, which is why a pair of Sparwood residents have formed an informal group to help Elk Valley families.
Theresa Jackson is the founder of Families Helping Families Of The Elk Valley, a Facebook group dedicated to helping people with everything from groceries to heating bills.
Jackson first formed the group several months ago after her sister began facing financial trouble.
“She was really hurting. No food and she relied on wood heat to keep her trailer warm so I started a group,” she said. “A lot of people donated to make sure she got a load of wood, she got a truck load of groceries and then we decided to continue it for anybody who needs a helping hand.”
Jackson and her colleague Cora Goulet collect donations on behalf of the group and deliver them to those in need. They’ve helped six families since the group’s founding, she said.
“Our main goal is to help people who are too afraid to ask for help,” said Jackson. “If you need groceries or if you’re going through a rough time, we have no problem collecting and delivering.”
Families Helping Families Of The Elk Valley has almost 700 members.