Christmas has come early for Share Family and Community Services which has been assured of warehouse space to store food and run its Christmas toy shop program.
Chief Executive Officer Martin Wyant has confirmed that Share will be able to move back into the former Andres Winery in Port Moody this season after moving out earlier this year to make way for Evergreen Line construction.
The social service agency had been looking for months for warehouse space and was storing goods and equipment in shipping containers and commercial storage lockers. Wyant expects Share will move back soon into the Moody warehouse where it can start preparing for holiday programs.
"The urgency around this is off the front burner and we can focus on the Christmas program," Wyant said. However, for the longer term, warehouse space is still needed for Share Christmas programs, and the social service agency will have to get creative to find a solution, Wyant said.
In the meantime, calls are going out for toys and donations and some people are already dropping off items to Share. That's a good sign, Wyant said, because the need continues to be great and he expects to see as many people as last year needing help at Christmas because there has been no appreciative drop in demand despite improvements in the economy.
"You would have thought when things apparently got better you'd see a decrease in the demand, but we've seen the opposite," Wyant said, noting that food bank use has climbed 59% in the last four years. He suspects the high cost of housing is a factor in why people are having a hard time making ends meet.
But if Tri-City residents continue to be generous everyone should be able to have a great Christmas.
Registration is currently taking place for the toy program and for holiday food hampers. For details see below.
TOY PROGRAM
Individuals and families residing in the Tri-Cities with the required documents may apply to receive Christmas toys. Toys and/or gifts are available for children 17 and under. Clients may be asked to provide legal documents indicating they have custody.
Beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 7, clients may register at only one of the locations below:
Port Moody: The house next to Port Moody Pacific Grace MB/Chinese Church at 2614 St. John's St., Port Moody (across the alley from the Share Food Bank). Registrations will be accepted Wednesdays and Fridays Nov. 7 to Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Coquitlam: Fellowship Hall, Como Lake United Church, 535 Marmont Street (corner of King Albert and Marmont Street), Coquitlam. Registrations will be accepted Wednesdays and Fridays, Nov. 7 to Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., after this date, registrations will continue at the Port Moody location. However, Coquitlam registration will be closed Nov. 16
Port Coquitlam: Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Avenue (corner of Prairie & Shaughnessy). Registrations will be accepted Wednesdays and Fridays from Nov. 7 to Nov. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. After Nov. 30, registrations will continue at the Port Moody location
What you'll need:
At the time of registration clients must apply in person with current I.D. the following:
Proof of Address, e.g. Rental Agreement, RECENT Utility bill.
CareCards and / or Immigration Cards for all members of the family
Income Source, e.g.: cheque stub from MSD, E.I., CPP/OAS, WCBNo means test required - source of income is used for tracking purposes only.
Please Note: After Dec.14, All Christmas Toy Registration enquiries can be directed to Share Food Bank, 2615 Clarke St., Port Moody (rear of the building). For more information call: 604-931-2451 or check our website at www.sharesociety.ca
FOOD HAMPER
Registration for Christmas Food Hampers for Tri-Cities residents is different this year.
Current foodbank clients do not need to register for a Christmas food hamper. Only those who have never been to a Share food bank or who have not attended for more than six months will need to register.
Christmas food hampers will be available for pick up on regular food bank days at the client's regular food bank location - either on Dec. 12 or Dec. 19 between the following hours:
Port Coquitlam - noon to 2 p.m.
Coquitlam - 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Port Moody - 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Recipients should come prepared to carry their hamper home.
TINY BUNDLES FAMILIES
Tiny Bundles clients will receive one Christmas hamper on either Dec. 12 or Dec. 19. Tiny Bundles families can come on both dates to get their special Tiny Bundle items only.
