To say it has been a challenging year for everyone is an understatement. For not-for-profit charities, however, 2020 has been the poster child for the much-used term ‘unprecedented.’
With so many more people in need this winter, many who never really considered themselves ‘in need’ before the pandemic, the North Shore Neighbourhood House is reaching out to the North Vancouver community for continued support and donations.
Since last March, when COVID-19 became a global reality, NSNH stepped up its many existing programs, thanks to your kindness and generosity. The good news? All 12 childcare centres have stayed open, servicing many first-responder families and 450 children daily.
The challenge in order to make that happen? Extra staffing was needed for safe supervision of the kids, and stepped-up cleaning staff was required, both at a great cost to NSNH.
The youth and seniors’ programs are still in place, with some adjusting to outdoor and online support, or modified so folks can see each other safely and physically distanced. Since 3500 seniors look to NSNH every year for assistance, many of them housebound and without transportation, a new program has been introduced via a collaboration with Better at Home to safely drive seniors to doctor appointments and other essential services.
The food distribution program has increased capacity going from feeding 200 people per week to over 600 people per week, including massively stepped-up collection, storage and distribution of food. NSNH’s Sharing Gardens has up to 50 volunteers on five sites who grow vegetables for donation. This season they donated nearly 4000lbs of fresh produce that were part of weekly food hampers.
Very likely, 2021 will bring an increase in the number of the local citizens in need, and the NSNH has been preparing for that, brainstorming with all the municipalities on the North Shore to ensure they meet current needs that best suit the community. Staying fluid and ready to shift gears as the new year unfolds in order to support the most vulnerable residents that need help—is crucial.
North Shore Neighbourhood House would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone again for the donations and support, with sincere hopes it’ll continue in the coming year.
These programs would not be possible without the hundreds of North Shore community members, staff and volunteers who tirelessly lend a hand, plus the donors who generously gave.
North Shore Neighbourhood House would like to recognize and thank their key partners and funders, including the Province of British Columbia, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Fire Fighters of North Vancouver, Neptune Terminals, North Shore Community Resources, Royal Bank of Canada, Seaspan, Soroptimist International of North & West Vancouver, United Way, and Vancity.
North Shore Neighbourhood House strives to build a safe, healthy and strong community, welcoming all ages, abilities and cultures—one where everyone has access to support, everyone is included, and where everyone matters. To make a donation, visit their website at www.nsnh.bc.ca.
