Each month, 100% of our Sunday morning collection plate, unless otherwise noted, is donated to a registered charity whose mission is in line with our values. We call this “Outreach”.

During the month of September, as children across the province head back to school, we will be collecting donations for Backpack Buddies, a non-profit headquartered in North Vancouver. With one in four BC families experiencing food insecurity, Backpack Buddies fills empty cupboards for needy kids each Friday.

In 2012, a mother-and daughter founding team started with delivering just 20 bags of food to an East Vancouver school. Today, passionate volunteers, donors and staff ensure that over 6,000 kids from every corner of BC get the food they need. North Vancouver is one of ten communities served by Backpack Buddies.

Weekly food deliveries are coordinated in partnership with teachers and administrators. Front-line educators advise on the needs of their students and identify children who will benefit most from receiving a bag of food for the weekend.

With over 1.65 million meals passing through their warehouse every year, Backpack Buddies leverages purchasing power to stretch every dollar. Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand.

Read more about Backpack Buddies HERE and the scope of food insecurity in BC HERE.