People all over Bowen, join hands, get on the meal train.
Alea Bell and Katie Cooke are the driving force behind this nourishing initiative for their friends, the Benson family.
Bean Benson recently slipped on ice and broke five ribs, sending her off the island to Lions Gate Hospital for a week stay and followed by a long recovery period at home.
Her husband Mike was by Bean’s side at the hospital, while also managing care for their two young children, Knox, 8, and Journey, 10.
The accident has halted construction on the Benson’s Bowen dream home, a project they have poured their heart, soul and energy into for the last four years.
Bell and Cooke, being mutual friends of Bean, connected to get the meal train rolling for the young family of four. “To take one thing off their plate,” says Cooke.
The goal is to get the Bensons set up with meal deliveries until the end of March.
Philanthropic foodies can simply head to the meal train website, mealtrain.com/trains/wo2do0, pick a date to cook and deliver a dish to the Bensons.
Casseroles, soups, tacos, curries – if you can cook it, the Bensons will gladly appreciate a warm meal. Their dietary restrictions are included on the website.
Bell first met the Bensons about five years ago when both families were new on the island.
“They are an amazing family. We just hit it off,” says Bell.
Cooke connected with the Bensons after their kids met in kindergarten at BICS, “and we’ve been friends ever since,” she says.
“They’re very selfless and caring, just very down-to-earth people,” adds Cooke.
Feeding a neighbour in need of a helping hand is nothing new for Bowen.
“It’s really common that you’ll see a meal train happening for anyone that’s come back to Bowen with a new baby,” explains Cooke.
Bell’s home was once a food train stop, after she gave birth.
“It’s a big deal, as a new mom,” says Bell. “The community on Bowen really pulls together for people in a way that I haven’t seen anywhere else.”
The friends want to give a shout-out to Wagsville Dog Camp on Bowen for meeting Mike at the ferry the day Bean fell to pick up the couple’s dog. As well, The Snug and Tuscany both donated gift cards to the Benson family.
