What if a simple act of generosity could ripple through your entire community? With their annual Give Where You Live campaign, West Vancouver Foundation (WVF) is rallying support for a select group of 10 impactful charities — across a range of interests and causes — that empower you to make a difference in your own backyard.
This season, experience the joy of selfless giving with a donation to an organization that will not only help change someone's life, but possibly save it, too. This community-giving campaign creates an opportunity for you to learn more about the needs and causes in your community, and support the charities that serve those needs.
"With the inflation rates over the past few years, the high cost of housing, poverty reduction has become a more pressing issue," says Denise Howell, executive director, grants and communications at WVF.
"This year's Give Where You Live charity partners are working to provide services to those facing poverty and help them get out of the poverty cycle."
Celebrating 45 years, WVF was formed to inspire and steward local philanthropy for local benefit and is one of the top 30 community foundations in Canada, which brings people and projects together to create impact and change.
"The Foundation is very proud to be able to work with local charities and community members to help support those on the North Shore," adds Howell. "This year’s target is to raise $230,000."
Give back: 10 North Shore charities to support
Some of these charity partners are providing vulnerable people with immediate supports such as food security and counselling, while others provide services that help break the poverty cycle such as healthy play, post-secondary guidance and restorative justice.
The Foundation’s goal is to build a stronger community, together, and these charities are helping ensure everyone in your community can thrive:
- Athletics for Kids: Sport4Life grants remove financial barriers to sport.
- Backpack Buddies: Serves the North Shore’s most vulnerable children who go without consistent access to food on the weekend.
- BC Pets and Friends: Volunteer pet therapy teams visit different communities, providing the healing comfort and companionship of animals.
- Harvest Project: Providing a ‘hand up’ to residents who find themselves on the margins.
- Hollyburn Community Services: A continuum of supports to youth, seniors, individuals and families with social vulnerabilities.
- North Shore Christmas Bureau: Helping qualified residents experiencing financial hardship, through their toy shop and holiday gift baskets.
- North Shore Restorative Justice: Community-building approach rooted in Indigenous methodology, focusing on dialogue, reparation and healing in response to crime and conflict.
- Red Fox Healthy Living: Serves Indigenous and inner-city children, youth and families with recreation, food and cultural programs.
- Vancouver Food Runners: Leveraging app technology and partnering with volunteer drivers to deliver surplus food to non-profits across the North Shore.
- West Van Seniors’ Activity Centre - Feed the Need: Provides three free meals/week to vulnerable seniors with food insecurity, living without family or community support.
A senior's lifeline to food security, fellowship
There's a genuine need among the North Shore's most vulnerable seniors, who lack the means to access regular meals. Consider for a moment, the seniors who spend most of their time at home — would you know if they were unable to feed themselves or were too proud to ask for help?
Last year's campaign, for example, benefited a newly widowed senior in West Vancouver, who felt the heavy weight of isolation and loneliness. During a visit from Feed the Need, staff recognized they required support and added them to the meal program. Over the weeks, volunteers delivering meals began forming a warm connection, gently encouraging them to step out and visit the Seniors' Activity Centre (SAC).
The senior, now a regular presence at SAC, is often found in the lobby, enjoying a coffee and the company of others. Through Feed the Need, they gained more than a nutritious meal; they found a renewed sense of community and belonging.
Nothing feels quite as good as giving to the most vulnerable, especially during the holiday season. And today, it's easy to double your impact, according to Howell.
"When you donate to one of our charity partners, through the Foundation, by December 31, 2024, your donation will be matched — doubling your giving."
For more information, visit westvanfoundation.ca.
