In BC we have a provincial phone line 211 which is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. Throughout British Columbia, the 211 services is provided by 211 British Columbia Services Society (BC211) in partnership with the United Way and the Government of British Columbia. BC211 is a Vancouver-based, non-profit that strengthens communities by connecting people to the help they need.
BC211 is accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) and meets international standards relating to call response, privacy and confidentiality, and the quality and accuracy of resources listed in the database.
211 provides information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with:
· basic
needs like food and shelter,
· mental
health and addictions support,
· legal
and financial assistance,
·
support for seniors, and much more
It is time to support your local food bank and I do. But I
decided to find out what other services there were for low-cost and free food
options for people in my area. I did a search for free and low-cost food
options within a 20K radius of my home and found the following through 211:
1. BC
Association of Farmers' Markets (BCAFM)
BC
Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program
A healthy eating initiative that
supports farmers' markets and strengthens food security across British
Columbia. Collaborates with community partner organizations to provide coupons
to low-income families and seniors participating in food literacy programs.
2. Our
Lady of Assumption Parish
Come to the Table Soup Kitchen
provides free meals from 12 noon to 1:30 pm every fourth Saturday for those
living in the Tri-Cities (except December). Wheelchair accessible. Non-profit,
registered charity.
Hosts Club Freedom which
offers free weekly community dinners for local residents in need, from 5 pm to
6 pm, every Sunday.
Operates a thrift store that
sells clothing and household goods; temporarily closed due to pandemic. Hosts a
lot of programming by other service providers in the community; food hampers,
support groups, and early years programs. Remote office hours are 10 am t...
5. Muslim
Food Bank and Community Services Society
Distributes food hampers for
special dietary needs including vegan and religious restrictions to low-income
individuals and families (including immigrants, refugees, and refugee
claimants) in Metro Vancouver. Registration with picture ID, proof of address required.
6. Guilford
and Whalley Food Depot
a) Provided
by: Surrey
Food Bank Society
Distributes food hampers from
10 am to 12 noon every second Wednesday. New registrations can be done at this
location. Current and previous food bank clients are required to update here
every six months. Serves Surrey residents in the Guilford and Whalley neighbourhood.
7. Surrey
Urban Mission Society (SUMS)
Partners with other
organizations and faith communities to offer free meals for anyone in the
community.
8. Red
Braid Alliance for Decolonial Socialism
A grassroots organization that
organizes on the front lines with communities facing displacement in BC. The goal is to support the development of people's power in working-class and Indigenous
communities and build alliances between peoples' struggles. Campaigns c...
9. Not-for-Profit
Grocery Market - Surrey
a) Provided
by: Quest
Food Exchange
a) Provided
by: Lookout
Housing and Health Society
Provides free nutritious meals
seven days a week, with the participation and assistance of community-based
organizations and individuals.
a) Provided
by: Lookout
Housing and Health Society
A specialized, high-protein
food bank for residents of Surrey and Metro Vancouver who are living with
HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C and in need of support. Operated in partnership
with Djaef Mahler AIDS Benefit Society, Quest Foods, and Surrey Food Bank.
12.
SHARE
Food Banks
a) Provided
by: SHARE
Family and Community Services Society
Volunteers distribute food to
residents in need living in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and
Port Moody. Recipients can attend every two weeks. Applicants require proof of
local address, income information, and identification for all household me...
Provided by: SHARE
Family and Community Services Society
Volunteers distribute
Christmas food hampers to Tri-cities residents in need (Anmore, Belcarra,
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody) on two food bank Wednesdays each
December; registration is required at the food bank. Also offers a toy/gift
program for ...
a) Provided
by: Oak
Avenue Neighbourhood Hub Society
Provides groceries by donation
for the general public from 11 am to 12 noon on Tuesdays; also accepts food
donations. A Community Dinner (by donation) is held at 4:30 pm every
second Saturday of the month; doors open at 4 pm
15.
Community
and Family Services - Burnaby
a) Provided
by: The
Salvation Army - BC Division
The drop-in centre helps meet the
immediate and short-term needs of people in distress through assistance with
food, clothing, household goods, emergency disaster services, and lay
counselling. Provides youth recreation programs, including basketball.
16.
Community
and Family Services - New Westminster
a) Provided
by: The
Salvation Army - BC Division
Helps meet the immediate and
short-term needs of people in distress through assistance with food, clothing,
household goods, emergency disaster services, and lay counselling.
17.
Food
Programs - New Westminster
18.
Provided by: The
Salvation Army - BC Division
Offers community breakfast on
Saturdays at 10 am. Bread and snacks are provided at 1 pm daily. Produce Day
serves residents of New Westminster and the Tri-Cities at 1 pm on Wednesdays
and residents of Burnaby at 1 pm on Fridays; proof of address and assistance required.
19. Safe Seniors, Strong Communities
Provided by bc211 - AKA: 211
British Columbia Services Society
Matches eligible seniors age 65 and over who are living in the community and in need of assistance, with volunteers available to help with non-medical services such as grocery shopping and delivery, meal preparation and delivery, medication pick-up, and social.
20.
Food
Programs
a) Provided
by: CityReach
Care Society - AKA: City Reach Care Society
Food for Families program
offers a free nutritious food bank for low-income households in East Vancouver
and Port Coquitlam; a government-issued photo ID is required for first-time
clients.
21.
Food
Not Bombs
Volunteers provide free vegan
and vegetarian meals to individuals in need, on an outreach basis. Advocates
for sustainable food systems and food recovery. International collective, with
BC chapters active in Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kelowna, Nanaimo.
Rescues surplus food from
producers and suppliers, and redirects it to local nonprofits and food-insecure
households and individuals throughout Metro Vancouver. The Rescued Food Box
Program provides a weekly delivery of a grocery box to members for $10 per delivery.
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