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New food truck helping Nanaimo’s homeless

Oct 4, 2017 | 11:19 AM

NANAIMO — At the end of a long day driving his new food truck to Nanaimo businesses, factories and car dealerships, John Erickson makes one final stop.

“At the end of the day and especially at the end of the week, whatever food I have left over I take down to the Salvation Army to help the homeless,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Erickson’s driven around Nanaimo for the last five weeks and said he’s dropped off roughly 30 wraps and 50 sandwiches to the Salvation Army so far.

He’s a rehab support worker in the psychiatric unit of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, where he sees many who are experiencing homelessness, and also hands out coats during the winter.

Erickson said there’s never too much help you can give, which is why he decided to drop off his food.

“As long as you’re helping somebody at the end of the day, that’s just as important as feeding people at work,” he said.

Currently running his food truck at a loss, Erickson said if he does start running out food by the end of the day he’ll still consider helping the Salvation Army in some way, whether it’s cash donations or specifically keeping some food to drop off.

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit