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BC Interior Community Foundation alongside Community Foundations of Canada supports local charities during Covid-19 through the Emergency Community Support Fund 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unpredictable and challenging time for many, with some communities experiencing higher levels of vulnerability than others. Marginalized groups, youth, children and the elderly, essential workers, and newcomers are just some of the communities that have faced increased challenges. To provide emergency relief, the Government of Canada launched the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) to help support communities made increasingly vulnerable by the pandemic.

The Emergency Community Support Fund

Funded By

Emergency Community Support Fund – Round 2 Organizations Supported

 

Chase Hamper Society Cheque Presentation

We are proud to have partnered with the CFC and the Government of Canada to deliver funding locally throughout the Thompson-Nicola & South Cariboo Region to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy. Through the ECSF Round 2, we have invested $64,910 towards local charities and qualified donees supporting vulnerable populations.  BCICF is pleased to support the following:

 Chase

  • $21,810 was invested to fund the Chase Hamper Society in providing necessary upgrades to the Chase Community Hall Kitchen due to increased use of services during Covid-19. Chase Hamper Society provides food bank services to citizens in Chase, Little Shuswap Indian Band, Adams Lake Indian Band, Neskonlith Indian Band, Pritchard, Chase Creek, Turtle Valley & all of the North Shuswap to Seymour Arm.

Ashcroft

  • $7,500 was invested to fund the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society/Ashcroft & Area Food Bank to fund a staff member to meet the 75% increase in service use of the food bank during the pandemic. Ashcroft & Area Food Bank provides food bank services to citizens in Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton, Spences Bridge & Walhachin. 

Logan Lake

  • $4,000 was invested to fund VisionQuest Recovery Society to purchase technology that will allow them to provide support to those in addiction recovery via virtual meetings & schooling during Covid-19. VisionQuest provides essential support to those recovering from addiction.

Savona

  • $7,000 was invested to fund Skeetchestn Indian Band to purchase essential kitchen equipment for households in their area including food dehydrators & freezers. This equipment is integral to the community goal of food sovereignty and self-reliance during the pandemic.

Kamloops

  • $4,100 was invested to support Habitat for Humanity Kamloops to support increased costs associated with providing an affordable home those in need during Covid-19. These funds will help support staff with health/safety, PPE, and training & technology required to transition to working from home.
  • $1,000 was invested to fund Kamloops Brain Injury Association in supporting Seniors who have survived a Brain Injury to stay connected & socially active during the pandemic. These funds help to provide senior clients with software training & set up, hardware set-up or purchase, and internet/telephone services. 

 

  • $8,000 was invested to fund Interior Community Services to purchase commercial equipment to meet the increased usage of the Mount Paul Community Food Centre. During Covid-19 the Food Centre has supplied take-away meals, seniors good food hampers, kids meal kits, & seniors non-perishable food hampers to those in need.

 

  • $1,500 was invested to fund the Centre for Seniors Information to support delivery of essential items to seniors who are isolated due to the pandemic. CSI Kamloops will also provide wellness checks, as well as a quick visit and referrals to other organizations as needed to ensure continued health support for seniors.

 

  • $10,000 was invested to support Open Door Group: Gardengate in building a new facility for life skill based workshops – specifically to support the commercial kitchen and learning space. Gardengate serves adults living with mental health or addiction issues within the community and this new space ensures they can continue to provide programs for those they support.  

Emergency Community Support Fund – Round 1 Organizations Supported

 

We are proud to have partnered with the CFC and the Government of Canada to deliver funding locally throughout the Thompson-Nicola & South Cariboo Region to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy. Through the ECSF, we have invested $154,580 towards local charities and qualified donees supporting vulnerable populations.  

The BCICF is pleased to announce the ECSF has supported projects including:

  • $15,000 was invested to fund Hope Air to support outreach & accommodation for low-income patients who need access to medical care outside of Kamloops & Area
  • $3,000 was invested to fund Spinal Cord Injury BC to provide peer support & information services for our area to reduce social isolation & support mental/physical health during COVID-19
  • $2,500 was invested to fund Interior Community Services to support Covid-19 specific care for Transgender/Gender Diverse Youth in our area to reduce gender dysphoria and its associated mental health impacts.
  • $15,000 was invested to fund A Way Home Kamloops to support a COVID-19 Specific Youth Housing Outreach Worker to support double the intake of youth, & help mitigate triple the critical incidents, as well as provide more mental health care as they are seeing a significant increase in substance use/overdose and need to provide more after-hours & crisis support.
  • $25,000 was invested to fund The Mustard Seed Foundation in Kamloops to provide a Community Support Worker & Advocate for our most vulnerable populations to assist them to access essential services to help prevent them from falling further into poverty during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • $20,000 was invested in the Centre for Seniors Information BC Interior Society to support the Seniors Activity Centre in adapting their existing social and educational programs & continuing to host these services that help to maintain good mental health and wellness & reduce feelings of social isolation.
  • $16,520 was invested to fund the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society in Ashcroft to support an increase in rural Food Bank/Hampers to over 60 families within their region, a 64% increase in usual usage.
  • $20,000 was invested in the Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association to help them keep their 3 remaining staff & continue their work with existing clients who are able to ride without volunteer assistance, as all volunteers have been disallowed due to current health guidelines.
  • $7,500 was invested to fund the Evergreen Acres Senior Housing Society in Clearwater to support increased sanitation for existing and new buildings of subsidized senior housing.
  • $20,000 was invested to fund the Big Bear Child & Youth Advocacy Centre to support their continued operation of advocacy & support for local youth who have experienced child abuse; during Covid-19 when many agencies are shut down or only accepting online appointments it is important to make sure no one “falls through the cracks”
  • $2,760 was invested to fund the Pregnancy Care Centre Society of Kamloops to support the continued operation of the ‘Holistic Wellness Initiative’, which assists mothers in building cooking skills, while maintaining proper social distance during COVID-19.
  • $3,650 was invested to fund the Kamloops Food Policy Council to support their work to ensure food security for our region’s vulnerable population in conjunction with other regional providers.
  • $3,650 was invested to fund the Better Living Centre in Lillooet to support a greater need for their Food Pantry Weekly Bagged Lunch Program which helps provide vulnerable populations with a weekly hot meal.

 

The ECSF is a $350 million fund that is being implemented with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada, in partnership with local foundations across the country. Its goal is to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable Canadians.