Maple Ridge student makes annual Valentine’s Day delivery

Kid Cupid is at it again – for the fourth year in a row.

Suhaandeep Gill, 10, has completed his annual Valentine’s Day giveaway, making and delivering meals to emergency shelters in Abbotsford, Mission and Maple Ridge.

Suhaandeep and his family made bread pakora – similar to a samosa – and macaroni salad, and packaged them with treats such as Rice Krispie squares, chocolates, cookies and water bottles.

The meals were then distributed on Thursday (Feb. 12) to Cyrus Centre in Abbotsford, Haven in the Hollow in Mission, and the Salvation Army in Maple Ridge.

Every year Suhaandeep and his brother Rehaandeep, 7, think of something new to cook that people would like to eat.

This year, their younger brothers – Devendeep, 18 months, and Sawandeep, 10 months – helped sort items in the kitchen while the cooking was going on.

Also helping out were his mom Sandy, dad Sukhdeep, grandparents and aunties.

Sandy said Suhaandeep “really cares for the communities that he’s a part of” and wants to make a positive impact.

The Grade 5 student lives in both Abbotsford and Mission, and attends school in Maple Ridge.

“Suhaandeep mentioned caring for people in need is important because it upholds basic human rights, it shows compassion and it addresses the public health emergency,” Sandy said.

“Valentine’s Day is about care, friendship and love and why not share compassion towards people in need around this time and all year round?”

The Valentine’s project began in 2023, when Suhaandeep made a New Year’s resolution to help people in his community.

That year, the family prepared Valentine’s Day-themed gift bags filled with toiletry items, notebooks, pens, socks and candies.

In 2024, they prepared pancakes with blueberry jam, mixed fruits and chocolates, all packaged in individual boxes topped with a bow. They also added juice boxes and delivered boxes of cheese pizza.

Last year, they made and delivered meals of mixed rice, chickpeas and samosas. They also added treats such as fruit cups, granola bars, candies and fruit drinks.

The family also delivers treats and food every month to local food banks, as well as regularly providing meals to the unhoused population.

Sandy said the family is proud of the brothers for being “kind, compassionate and caring.”

They are looking forward to continuing the tradition next year.

“Suhaandeep really wants to make something creative and big next year that everyone will like and enjoy to eat. He hopes to inspire others to do more volunteer and to give to others,” Sandy said.