Homeless, less fortunate and the needy numbers are growing!
2015 started with many more people being directed to us for many reasons. Some we
could help, others we could only encourage and give direction to where help might be
available.
There has been a lot of interest in the less fortunate in the Oceanside area but very
little is being done to get the help they need due to the fact there is less housing than
last year and more people needing help.
I have been in contact with the Mental Health street worker and he advised me he is
now trying to tell people to move on to another area for there is little help here, or
housing at this time.
I am in contact with a health nurse who is now working the streets trying to get help for
the people who desperately need to see a doctor, so that one is made available. She
has made herself available at the van on Saturdays and I am often in contact with her
during the week . I don’t think they were aware of just how many people and families
were being affected with health issues in the Oceanside area. We need to thank the
doctors of Oceanside for making this health nurse available and she is truly trying to
make a difference in our area. I have personally seen where she has helped a lady as
well as a young girl which both needed to be hospitalized for surgery. And they got the
help they needed.
Manna Homeless Society is growing and changing as people are in panic mode as the
system is way too slow to help them. I personally believe they have set up a system
that makes it impossible for emergency care. We at Manna are willing to respond to
these needs but we need to find more help.
We are pleased to announce that the Women’s Catholic League has now started a
sandwich and bagged lunch, which is given out once a month at the van and it has
been such a great success.
The free bicycle program that we offer is still very popular with people from the
community continuing to make bikes available. We have always been able to get
bikes out to the people who really need them.
The fruit and vegetables from Costco have been a blessing as the Salvation Army
faithfully picks it up in Nanaimo and they fill our vehicle every Friday for the week.
Jerry Peterson has done an excellent job finding our food needs at rock bottom
prices. Royce Taylor and Andrew Cotton have been so faithful working at the van on
Saturdays and doing a really good job.
We also have two more people that have taken on positions helping at the van. Penny
Cowan who has years of experience working with the less fortunate and John Gourlay
who has a big heart and is willing to help wherever needed.
This time of year we are looking for tents, tarps, sleeping bags and whatever to survive
outside.
Cheques should be made out to Manna Homeless Society to receive a tax receipt.
We want to take this time and thank all our supporters who know who they are. You
have made a difference in the lives of individuals in the Oceanside community.
We look forward to the challenges of this year and changing lives in the Oceanside
area. We are willing to go where others won’t to reach the less fortunate and keep
our community healthy. We are still finding new areas in the community where
people have been overlooked and need your help.
We are all volunteers at Manna Homeless Society. Please keep that in mind knowing
100% of your donation goes directly to meeting the needs of the less fortunate and
homeless.
Robin Campbell
Manna Homeless Society