While many Canadians watch Hallmark Movies with loved ones while wrapping gifts, vulnerable adults are facing poverty, hunger, loneliness and past trauma over the holidays. BC communities have various resources, such as free meals, gift cards, holiday hampers and more, to ensure everyone receives some love and care filled with holiday spirit.
Holiday Hampers and Free Meals
Faith communities and social service agencies spend months fundraising and connecting with sponsors to resource holiday 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 usually apply confidentially.
- Local food banks often take names in advance to ensure they can create holiday 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 and cook meals to take home or eat together. Local churches or community centres usually run these. See the Vancouver Community Kitchen for an example. Google “community kitchens bc” to find an extensive list across the province.
- Free meal programs are offered in most 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 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 has been sponsored by London Drugs since 2015 and partners with care homes and seniors centres. Tags may be filled out and attached to trees at London Drugs stores across BC. Registration to receive gifts will be through local facilities and seniors centers.
- While the Salvation Army falls under faith communities, its community programs offer food, clothing and social services for vulnerable adults from the broader community.
Warming Centres for Housed and Unhoused
A warming centre is a short-term emergency shelter that operates when temperatures or a combination of rain, wind chill, wind and temperature become dangerous or threatening. Centres are opened to prevent death or injury from exposure.
Warming centres are not only for unhoused people. Many vulnerable adults live in inadequate or older buildings with insufficient heating or insulation. Apartments may be cold, drafty or damp.
Check municipal or regional district offices for information on local warming centres. Seniors centres may offer space for older people, even if only to warm up during an activity.
Free Events to Combat Loneliness and Get in the Holiday Spirit
- Alert seniors to free events in their communities. Watching kids tobogganing or the town tree-lighting ceremony can be 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.
- Encourage single or lonely adults to ask a friend or acquaintance independently.
Mental Health Supports
The holidays can bring many memories, but not all are 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 the 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 2-1-1 or via their website. 211 is a free, confidential service connecting people to helpful and vital community resources. Support staff can 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 addiction 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.
- BC’s hospices offer support to those with life-threatening illnesses, their families and those who experience grief after the loss of loved ones. These feelings may be overwhelming during the holidays, and trained staff and volunteers are there to help. The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association website lists hospice societies province-wide. Additional resources are Victoria Hospice and End-of-Life Journey support offered by the First Nations Health Authority.
- 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 or text 9-8-8, or call their local crisis centre (see BC Crisis Lines below).
- For other mental health emergencies, call 310-6789.
- Language Service: The 310-6789 and 9-8-8 phone lines are available in over 140 languages using a language service. If you let them know which language is required, they will try to provide an interpreter.
- National Crisis Help Line: 9-8-8
- Mental Health and Crisis Support: 310-6789 (no area code required)
- 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.
