Harassment and bullying have slammed the brakes on Benjamin Kendrick’s amazing fundraising drives for the Sooke Food Bank.
For the past six years, Kendrick has organized an annual fundraiser for the 20,000 Meanwhile in Sooke Facebook page members. The total of $18,350 raised this year exceeded the goal of $15,000 and raised the amount of donations to $100,000 since Kendrick launched the fundraiser.
Unfortunately, Kendrick has decided he’s had enough.
“As annoying as my postings are, that doesn’t give people the right to bully, harass and threaten violence upon me,” Kendrick said in a recent post.
“This will be the last year for me doing this fundraiser, my mental health is not up to it any longer. I will also not be the face of this group any longer, no longer moderating or monitoring content for the foreseeable future.”
He thanked everyone for contributing to the fundraiser during the past six years
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Sooke Food Bank president Kim Metzger was effusive in her praise and gratitude to Kendrick and his mother, Sarah, for their efforts.
“We’re so blessed to have such amazing support from such wonderful people,” she said. “How wonderful Meanwhile in Sooke is for the mental health of our community. Their Facebook page is a place of kindness that highlights how great this community is.”
While the donations received are always appreciated, Metzger noted it was even more so this year.
“The cost of our groceries has gone up so much,” she said. “We’re seeing more working people who are living paycheque to paycheque that are struggling with unforeseen expenses like an emergency dental appointment, for example.”
Metzger said while some people only rely on the food bank a couple of times a year, the overall need is increasing.
“The whole community really stepped up this year,” she said. “We’re so proud to be part of the Sooke Food Bank and carry that name.”