The holidays are just around the corner and is usually the season when many families find it the most difficult. Last year, we compiled a list of local charities that help many people in different ways and are excited to share the list again. These wonderful charities are always open for donations, presents, and volunteers. If you know of anyone that can benefit from these charities, please let them know. We would love to grow our “Local Charities” list, so if we are missing any charities, please let us know.
BabyGoRound collects gently used baby gear — strollers, high chairs, infant carriers, clothing, nursing pillows, and other nursery items — cleans them and makes sure everything is in good working order, purchases new items as needed — cribs and breast pumps — and then distributes the items to families who are identified by a large network of health and social service organizations.
At Backpack Buddies, we tackle the hidden crisis of child hunger in B.C. While vulnerable students may take advantage of school-based meal programs during the week, few supports exist on weekends, when many kids suffer in secret. Our community of donors, volunteers and caring partners address this crisis by discreetly providing bags of food to students in need every Friday, with enough meals and snacks to last the entire weekend. Backpack Buddies reaches out to hungry kids across B.C. with the food they need to learn and grow. Since the start of the pandemic we have increase our support from 1300 children per week to almost 3000.
As the only hospital in the province specializing exclusively in the care of children, BC Children’s Hospital provides care for more than 96,000 kids a year—many of them battling devastating diseases and chronic conditions. Your generosity will support the three critical areas that are needed to advance the quest to conquer childhood illnesses: ground breaking research to uncover new therapies and ways to treat diseases, technologies to enable experts to deliver the most effective care, and kid-focused care that meets the physical, emotional and psychological needs of kids.
Through the power of philanthropy, we know this vision is possible.
What if you helped?
More info on BC Children’s Hospital and how to donate: https://www.bcchf.ca/
Since March, Canucks Autism Network has developed 21 weekly virtual programs, filling over 1,000 program spots for kids, youth & adults on the autism spectrum. Ranging from pre-recorded videos to live programs hosted on Zoom, programs have included Virtual Hockey, Movement, Art Club, Movie Club and more.
Meanwhile, in-person programs are being gradually reintroduced in strict alignment with ongoing provincial health orders. With ample virtual opportunities and a comprehensive safety plan for in-person programs, CAN is able to continue impacting its members across BC during this difficult time.
Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is dedicated to providing programs to individuals on the spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC and beyond.
Donate today: canucksautism.ca/give
For over 20 years, Covenant House Vancouver has been serving all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, supporting youth experiencing homelessness, and protecting and safeguarding all youth in need.
From meeting youths’ immediate needs of food, housing and clothing, to more long-term support with our Rights of Passage program, we help youth become independent and self-sufficient adults.
Donate today and triple your impact, this holiday season. Our Triple Match Campaign is on now! Help us unlock $200,000 in matching funds before December 31st. This matching campaign is made possible because of the Kronier Family, Scotiabank, and an anonymous donor.
If you are looking for a unique way to help our young people, check out our Christmas Backpack Program. Youth experiencing homelessness will receive special treats for Advent and a backpack full of brand-new gifts for Christmas.
We are grateful to our community, our supporters and our donors, who reminder youth that there are people in this world that see them as worthy of relentless support, unconditional love, and absolute respect.
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank was set up as a temporary relief to the hunger crisis in 1983. 37 years later, our goal is to meet the continued need for our services with strong food quality, more food for individuals and families to take home, and specialized nutrition programs built for children. Today, in the midst of a global pandemic with more new clients coming to us for support, this goal has not changed. We provide healthy food to those in need in two ways: directly to 6,000 people weekly across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore; and, to 15,000 people through the 80+ Community Agency Partners. we provide food to each week.
Kids Play Foundation is a registered non-profit charity organization committed towards keeping kids away from the lifestyle of drugs, gangs, and violence, by reinforcing a sense of belonging and self-worth in vulnerable youth. Thus far, with over 700 volunteer members, spearheading over 120 projects and 200 events, Kids Play has impacted over 75,000 youth through our free programs since our inception in 2015.
Mamas for Mamas is a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles. Our mission is to change the landscape of poverty through innovative approaches to financial barriers faced by struggling families. While our name is Mamas for Mamas, we welcome caregivers of any gender identity or expression, including men, trans*, non-binary, and two-spirit clients. We envision a future where no Mama or child is left behind.
Mom2Mom aims to help keep Vancouver families intact by connecting moms living in poverty with a community of women who can offer practical and emotional support. Mom2Mom offers programs and services that alleviate the stress of poverty by supporting moms to provide for their families, build their careers, and increase stability and confidence. We truly believe that when moms thrive, children thrive.
Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) is a registered charity that’s been serving the community for 50 years. As a hub for volunteering and giving, we connect Richmond residents with meaningful opportunities to support their community and the causes they care about.
We’re also a direct service provider, operating the Richmond Child Care Resource & Referral Centre, a range of Seniors Community Support Services, and, during the holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund.
With support from hundreds of volunteers and donors, the Christmas Fund helps brighten the holidays for our neighbours in need, providing them with grocery vouchers, toys, books, and gift cards, so they can enjoy a festive celebration.
School is the centre of the universe for many children. It’s where they learn, play, eat, make friends, discover role models, develop life-long social skills and find help if a crisis arises. These essential services cease to be available for vulnerable children when schools close for break and during emergencies like the current COVID 19 pandemic. The result is that vulnerable children are left with nowhere to go, nothing to eat, and no one to turn to when schools are closed.
Winter break at KidSafe usually looks a certain way – like any big family we take our traditions seriously. 2020 has been hard on us, but it has been especially tough on our kids. They have shown incredible strength and resilience and deserve the best we can give them.
Logistically, this winter will be KidSafe’s biggest challenge yet. To this we need your help.
Dates: November 15 – December 10, 2021
This holiday season, fill a standard-sized, decorated Shoebox with approximately $50 worth of gifts and essentials that any woman might enjoy, and include a warm greeting or message of support. Our volunteers distribute these gifts to local women’s shelters and community agencies serving women impacted by homelessness across Canada.
