Saturday was moving day for the Aldergrove Food Bank.

Volunteers arrived early, and by the dozen 鈥� all wearing masks 鈥� they hauled rooms full of food and supplies to their new unit at Countryside Shopping centre.

Little did they know, an Aldergrove resident was going to pay them a surprise visit at 11 a.m.

Sunny Sharma, a realtor who owns several storefront units on the 27000-block of Fraser Highway and Alder Inn鈥檚 liquor store, brought the group a housewarming gift.

With him was Sukh Mahil 鈥� Sharma鈥檚 friend since he was 10 years old and current co-worker. The two grew up together in Abbotsford, but now both live locally.

Food bank managers Mary van Zuuk and Tannis Percival were elated to receive a $1,000 cheque from the pair.

鈥淭his will cover two month鈥檚 rent for us,鈥� Percival exclaimed, through the sounds of boxes being carried and shelving units being set-up in their new digs.

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鈥淜nowing how [his] tenants are unable to pay rent right now,鈥� Sharma explained that he wanted to make sure the non-profit was able to settle in successfully.

鈥淚 wanted to follow in my father鈥檚 footsteps,鈥� he added.

Sharma said his father Dave, landlord of the 27000-block of Fraser Highway storefronts, has specifically put money aside for a time such as this.

Admittedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has strained the Sharmas鈥� tenants when it comes to covering the cost of rent this spring.

鈥淢y dad鈥檚 telling our tenants 鈥業 understand鈥�,鈥� not immediately pressuring them to take out loans or strain themselves otherwise in order to pay, the son said.

On Saturday, the Aldergrove Food Bank relocated from a hall at 27309 Fraser Hwy. 鈥� which is currently owned by the Janda Group of developers.

The building will be converted into a sales centre for the Aldergrove Town Centre redevelopment during May.

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