Adopt-A-Family Programs in Metro Vancouver for the Holidays
byIf you’re already looking ahead to how you can support others during the holiday season, here are some very worthy Adopt-A-Family programs in Metro Vancouver:
Adopt-A-Family Programs in Metro Vancouver
If you are in need of assistance, you can also find links to register as a beneficiary through the following organizations:
Helping a family in need is always a meaningful experience, but helping a family during the holidays changes their entire experience of this time of year.
Surrey Christmas Bureau
Surrey Christmas Bureau
What you provide as a sponsor: Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as gifts for the family you are matched with.
The Surrey Christmas Bureau Adopt-A-Family (“AAF”) program matches individuals, businesses, and other organizations with a family in need that has children under the age of 18. Each year they seek support from 1,000 sponsors so that every family and child in Surrey can celebrate Christmas.
Sponsors are encouraged to deliver their gifts and hampers using socially distanced practices such as arranging a time for the drop off and deliver contact-free (just like food deliveries do now) by ringing the doorbell, backing up to the sidewalk and waving from a distance as you wish the family a Merry Christmas. View the guidelines and planning list, and complete the sponsor application form or contact the AAF program at (604) 585-9670 to participate.
YWCA Sponsor a Family
What you provide as a sponsor: Select your budget based on family size. Your sponsorship includes a grocery gift card (from $100) and gifts for each family member so your family can enjoy the holiday season. You will receive a wish list and each family member can request $100 worth of gifts.
It has been a challenging time for families who live in YWCA housing communities and who participate in the organization’s programs. This year, single moms need more support than ever to make this holiday season special for their families. You can sign up to sponsor a family through the Presents of Peace program online here.
Covenant House Christmas Backpack Program
What you provide as a sponsor: Purchase Backpack and Advent Items online through the Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”) Amazon wish list of all the desired backpack items. All items will be shipped directly to Covenant House.
You can also help CHV purchase Christmas items, meals and special activities for youth in need during the holidays through their Christmas campaign. Some of the most-needed items are new men’s underwear, women and mean’s hoodies and sweatpants, backpacks, journals and notebooks, and gift cards (Starbucks, Subway etc.)
Burnaby Community Services
What you provide as a sponsor: Sponsor a Senior by providing gifts, necessities and food to local seniors in need.
You can support Burnaby Community Services by hosting your own Angel Toy Drive, dropping off a gift at Brentwood (November 2 to December 18), or by sending a cash donation. With a dollar-amount gift you can help the organization buy toys for two children from a family with low-income through the Burnaby Christmas Bureau, or you could cover the cost of escorting a senior to their medical appointments for one full month through our Seniors Transportation Program. Your donation could also provide a Christmas hamper to two seniors with low income or help purchase a large shipment of children’s books for distribution to families with low income at the Christmas Toy Room. Call (604) 292-3900 for more information.
Family Services North Shore
What you provide as a sponsor: Holiday gift baskets of various sizes based on family or individual needs. Family Services North Shore will provide the ages of each person, along with gift suggestions to guide your shopping. They will also send an information package that explains gift basket assembly and delivery.
The Christmas Bureau supports all individuals, families, and seniors, as long as they live on the North Shore and qualify for our assistance. Gift baskets include grocery gift cards, a wrapped gift for each family member, and optional festive items such as chocolates, napkins, or candles to add extra holiday sparkle. You can also drop off new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers at the North Shore Auto Mall Toy Drive on November 29, 2020 between 11:00am and 3:00pm.
You can also support the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau through their upcoming holiday toy drops. If you know of more programs in the community this season, please leave a comment and I will add it to the list.
