While many Canadians watch Hallmark Movies with loved ones while wrapping gifts, poverty, hunger, loneliness and past trauma are challenges for many vulnerable adults over the holidays. There are various resources in our communities to ensure everyone receives some love and care filled with holiday spirit.
Food Hampers and Holiday Meals
Faith communities and social service agencies spend months fundraising and connecting with sponsors to resource hampers for vulnerable people. These usually include food and, if budget allows, a small gift for each family member.
- Churches, synagogues, gurdwara, mosques, temples and other communities serve their members and the broader community. Members or their advocates can often apply confidentially.
- Local food banks usually take names in advance to ensure they can create hampers appropriate to the recipient’s faith and dietary needs. The Food Banks BC website lists food banks across the province.
- Some regions have community kitchens where participants can gather with others and cook meals to take home or eat together. These are usually run by local churches or community centres. See the Vancouver Community Kitchen for an example.
- Meal programs are offered in communities and are usually advertised through places of worship, food banks, community agencies and public service announcements. While meals might not be served on the actual day of high holidays, they are held close to the day and volunteers work hard to make things as cozy as possible.
Gift Programs
One way to say “we see you” is with a small gift and a personal greeting. While many programs are Christmas-oriented, requests can be made for culturally-appropriate gifts. Here are just a few programs in BC, but check with local organizations like seniors centres, food bank offices or Community Living:
- Stocking Stuffers for Seniors, sponsored by London Drugs since 2015, will be run province-wide in 2023. Tags may be filled out and attached to trees at London Drugs stores across BC. Call your local store before going in as some appear to only sponsor seniors from specific care homes.
- While the Salvation Army fits under faith communities, its community programs offer food, gifts of clothing and social services that may be an appropriate resource for vulnerable adults.
Free Events to Combat Loneliness and Get in the Spirit
- Encourage single or lonely adults to reach out to a friend or acquaintance to join them for walks or go for coffee. CRNs may be able to connect those who are too shy to connect on their own.
- Alert seniors to free events in their communities. Watching kids tobogganing or the town tree-lighting ceremony can be a lot of fun for some people (although triggering for others, so listen to your inner voice about their life experiences).
- Look for free concerts at schools, shopping malls, churches, synagogues and other public spaces.
- Many seniors’ centres hold holiday teas, bazaars and other events that provide a simple time out at little or no cost.
Mental Health Supports
The holidays can bring many memories, not all of them good. Past trauma, the loss of a loved one, substance use and illness can be at the forefront. There are resources to help during times of vulnerability for adults with new or existing mental health challenges. Encourage people to reach out. Here are a few tips and contacts to help with mental health. You may wish to print this list for reference.
- Try to go outside of home every day. Even a brief walk to the corner can boost serotonin and dopamine, the mood-boosting hormones that tell our brains to relax.
- BC 211 is a support service accessible by phoning or texting 211 or via their website. 211 is a free, confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their communities. Support staff can provide provide 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.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Al-Anon (for family members of those with substance use disorders) are very welcoming peer support groups.
- If folks need immediate help with a mental health crisis, please contact the BC Crisis Centre. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- If your family member or someone you work with is having thoughts of suicide, support them to call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE), or call their local crisis centre (below).
- Language Service: Both the 310-6789 and 1-800-SUICIDE phone lines are available in over 140 languages using a language service. Let them know which language is required, and they will try to provide an interpreter.
- Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky: 1-866-661-3311
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am) - Crisis Lines in BC
- Crisis Lines in Canada
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
