Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Options for people who need help with food security

  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.

3.  Friendship Baptist Church

Hosts Club Freedom which offers free weekly community dinners for local residents in need, from 5 pm to 6 pm, every Sunday.

4.  Trinity United Church

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

10.      Bread4Life Program

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.

11.      Djaef Mahler Grocery

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...

b)  SHARE Christmas Programs

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 ...

13.      Low Entropy Foundation

14.      Hub Food Programs

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.

22.      Food Stash Foundation

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment