South Vancouver Temporary Emergency Food Distribution Program Closure
The South Vancouver Temporary Emergency Food Distribution (EFD) Program held on Tuesdays at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (SVNH) and Thursdays at Marpole Neighbourhood House (MNH) will be closing as of August 20, 2020.
In order to continue with emergency food distribution at the scale required to support the underserved communities in South Vancouver, a large, dedicated space is needed. SVNH is committed to working alongside our neighbours to continue advocating for more supports and services in the Sunset, Victoria-Fraserview, and Killarney neighbourhoods.
In the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, SVNH and MNH closed their buildings and established the Temporary Emergency Food Distribution program to provide access to emergency food to approximately 300 vulnerable residents in the Victoria-Fraserview and surrounding neighbourhoods and 150 residents in Marpole each week. 75% of the people accessing the EFD program are multi-barriered seniors. The program was established in response to growing concerns of seniors and community members with compromised health who feel unsafe traveling outside of their neighbourhood to access other food supports.
In addition to Emergency Food Distribution, SVNH has also been a Hub agency with the “Safe Seniors, Strong Communities” initiative, operated in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland. SVNH also started the “Hi, Neighbour” Emergency Response for Families Program in partnership with neighbourhood agencies and community members, which provides emergency food hampers to approximately 120 vulnerable families in the neighbourhoods of Sunset, Victoria-Fraserview, and Killarney each week.
Now, with the province in Stage 3 – BC’s Restart Plan, SVNH is preparing to open its building through modified stages, including childcare, and is no longer able to continue the EFD program.
“Safe Seniors, Strong Communities” program will continue to support seniors in need. Please continue to refer seniors requiring support from SVNH to BC211 or visit www.bc211.ca.
The “Hi, Neighbour” program will continue to support families in need. Please continue to refer families requiring support to SVNH at svnhcares@southvan.org or 604.324.6212. We have a Community Food Navigator who will work individually with community members to help them access emergency food.
