The need for Christmas support amongst the city’s most vulnerable citizens has skyrocketed since 2020.
Each year, Family Services of Greater Vancouver offers the Caring Neighbours holiday giving campaign, which supports low-income families and seniors in New Westminster. The campaign is once again raising money to ensure people in New West can get the food and gifts they need to make the season special.
“This year – especially after the pandemic, heat dome, and floods – at Family Services we’ve seen first-hand how challenging circumstances more acutely affect low-income populations,” said a notice about the program. “It warms our hearts to see hundreds of local families and isolated seniors smiling and comforted at this time of year, and it’s all because of caring neighbours from right here in the community.”
According to Family Services, there are many inequities in the community, and this time of year can be particularly challenging for low-income families and isolated seniors. Donations received during the Caring Neighbours campaign support those who need it most through gift cards and gifts, so families and seniors can buy the ingredients and items that mean the most to them.
“In 2020, our Caring Neighbours campaign supported 600 children, parents and seniors. The need this year has grown significantly, especially among newcomer families and seniors,” said Maria Howard, CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver. “With the community's donations in 2021, we will support more than 900 neighbours in need.”
For more information about the Caring Neighbours campaign, go to www.caringneighbours.ca.
