Joshua Berson photo
COVID-19 is leaving kitchen cupboards bare across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Mass lay-offs and underemployment are affecting our friends, neighbours and family members leaving many struggling to pay rent and buy food.
United Way British Columbia is responding quickly to the devastating effect COVID-19 is having on food security. By mobilizing a network of community partners, businesses and local residents, United Way is working to ensure everyone – children, families and seniors – has access to the food they need.
Local Love Food Hubs
Local Love Food Hubs in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley have been set up to distribute food in communities through 17 non-profits, schools and faith-based organizations.
Archway Community Services in Abbotsford is one of the United Way’s partners operating as a Local Love Food Hub. “Since COVID-19, we’re distributing 20% more food hampers than normal,” says Rod Santiago, Executive Director, Archway Community Services. “We’re seeing the greatest new needs among families with school-aged children.”
Urgent need
United Way has plans to expand the program to 50 neighbourhoods in the next month and is anticipating future needs for up to one year. To fund this expansion, United Way British Columbia is launching an immediate and urgent appeal to raise $1 million.
“It is critical that we support people who cannot afford food during this unprecedented time. The global pandemic has created a huge increase in people seeking support for themselves and their families and we’re working hard to develop solutions to address this sweeping need,” says Kim Winchell, Director of Social Impact at United Way British Columbia.
United Way Food Hubs provide groceries, food hampers, prepared meals, and supermarket gift cards for anyone who is facing food insecurity. Community members who would like to access their Local Love Food Hub can either visit one of the current locations or receive a delivery if they are isolating or have mobility issues. All United Way of the Lower Mainland COVID-19 response services are no cost, or by donation if it can be afforded.
A caring community
“Being a Local Love Food Hub enables us to provide, among other things prepared meals and grocery produce, the proteins and grains that are expensive and badly needed during this time,” says Jennifer Gray-Grant, Executive Director at Collingwood Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, a Local Love Food Hub. “As much as the food itself helps, having the people that use our services know that someone cares about them, and whether they have enough nutritious food to eat, means so much to them. It makes a huge difference.”
Along with helping individuals, couples and families, Collingwood Neighbourhood House is also part of the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities initiative, a partnership between United Way’s Better at Home program, bc211 and the Province of British Columbia. By working together in new ways, we are ensuring all members of our community are cared for during this unprecedented time.
Funding for the current 17 Local Love Food Hubs is made possible by generous United Way donors through the Local Love in a Global Crisis Fund.
Show your local love. Donate today.
Topics : Burke Mountain, Clayton, Food Security, Local love, North Vancouver, Social Purpose, Sunset, Surrey, Tri-Cities, Uncategorized
