In the Parksville and Oceanside area, more people than ever are at risk of going without food. Rising costs, limited incomes, and the everyday pressures many face mean that individuals and families—including those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity—are relying heavily on community support to get by. MANNA Homeless Society continues its long-standing work providing practical care to people in need across Parksville and the Oceanside area. The demand for food assis

At Manna Homeless Society, our mission is to provide compassionate support to the most vulnerable members of our community. We recognize that health outcomes are often tied to access, and for those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, the path to a doctor or a pharmacy is often blocked by systemic barriers. Redefining the Pharmacy We are proud to announce the addition of Luisa, our new Outreach Pharmacist, to the Manna team. We want to emphasize that a pharmacy is

For more than 20 years, Manna Society has served the Parksville and Oceanside community with steadfast love, compassion, and practical help. We speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. What began as a simple call to care for those at risk has grown into a faithful ministry that meets people where they are — on the streets, in their cars, and in moments of deepest need. Our team shows up week after week, not out of judgment, but out of genuine love for every neighbour,

To Our Generous Community Partners, Local Businesses, and Caring Residents of Oceanside, We at Manna Homeless Society are reaching out with an urgent request for donations of bottled water to distribute on the streets of Oceanside this summer. As temperatures climb during these hot summer months, our outreach teams are witnessing increasing numbers of seniors, vulnerable adults, and people at risk struggling with heat exposure while living on the streets or in precarious hous

Swollen Feet in Summer: Causes, Relief, and Prevention By Raquel, Foot Care Nurse, Manna Homeless Society As temperatures rise during the summer months, many people notice their legs and feet becoming puffy and uncomfortable. This common issue occurs because heat causes blood vessels to expand, allowing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. Gravity then pulls this excess fluid downward, leading to swelling in the feet and ankles. While this swelling is usually temporary, it

After years of persistent advocacy, the Manna Homeless Society is thrilled to see Parksville’s Mayor and Council finally approve in letter form support for an extreme weather shelter in our community. For too long, articles in this paper highlighted how City Hall’s refusal to support even basic emergency shelter had left vulnerable residents of the Oceanside area exposed to life-threatening conditions. The lack of care contributed directly to preventable suffering and loss of

Programs Manna Homeless Society’s 20-year proven history in the Parksville area, Robin Campbell’s leadership, the Diamond Jubilee Award from the Queen of England for dedicated work caring for people at risk, Parksville’s Citizen of the Year recognition for working with the less fortunate and people on the street …. And bringing it to the attention of the community, and strong partnerships with Rotary and other service groups all strengthen the credibility and legacy of the or

The MANNA Homeless Society stands as a vital beacon of compassion and practical support in the Oceanside region of Vancouver Island, including Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Errington, and surrounding communities. For over two decades, under dedicated leadership and volunteers, MANNA has tirelessly served individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and marginalization—offering emergency food, clothing, hygiene supplies, temporary shelter provisions, bikes for transpor

Manna Homeless Society in the Parksville-Oceanside area of British Columbia. Jerrold Paetkau, the dedicated community chaplain and operations manager, plays a key role in supporting vulnerable people. These stories draw from the real impact of providing repaired bikes for transportation—helping with jobs, medical appointments, shopping, independence, and rebuilding confidence—while weaving in the broader compassionate work of Manna, including mobile foot care, food support, a

Water Warnings Ignored While Housing Booms For over a decade, the Englishman River and our aquifers have shown clear signs of strain—declining groundwater, shrinking snowpack, and recurring droughts. Yet Parksville council continues approving new housing developments, adding hundreds of unaffordable units and drawing more residents to an area already at its limit. Every year, the same pattern unfolds. Spring begins with Level 1 watering restrictions, escalating through the dr

For more than two decades, Manna Homeless Society has stood as a beacon of hope in Parksville, British Columbia. Day in and day out—365 days a year—our dedicated volunteers have provided essential support to those experiencing homelessness or people at risk . Whether distributing emergency food packages, clothing, hygiene supplies, rain gear, or life-saving medical care through our mobile clinic, we have been there for every emergency, every storm, and every person living in

Dear Friends, Community Leaders, Businesses, and Potential Partners in Oceanside, I write to you today with a heavy heart, but also with a spark of unbreakable hope—one that I believe we can fan into a bright flame together. Last winter, I met Tom on a bench near the Parksville waterfront. He was once a skilled tradesman who raised a family here, paid his taxes, and coached minor hockey. A job loss, mounting medical bills, and a string of bad luck left him sleeping in his tru

In the quiet coastal towns of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, where the Salish Sea kisses ancient shores and cedar forests whisper secrets to the wind, something extraordinary is stirring. It is not the work of the flawless or the mighty. It is the work of the Creator, who has always chosen the cracked vessels, the stumbling hearts, the ones the world calls failures, and filled them with living water until they overflow. Long ago, a fisherman named Peter denied his Lord three

In Parksville and the Oceanside region, an insidious weapon silences the cries of the homeless: dehumanization. It’s the quiet, vicious process that strips human beings of their dignity, reducing them to “transients,” “addicts,” or “problems” to be swept away. By labeling the unhoused as less than human—lazy choices, moral failures, or invisible nuisances—comfortable residents and indifferent leaders absolve themselves of responsibility. No need for an all-weather shelter whe

In the picturesque communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, a persistent homelessness crisis is tarnishing the region’s reputation as a retiree’s paradise. Despite a recent point-in-time count showing 94 individuals experiencing homelessness—a slight decline from previous years—the lack of an overnight shelter leaves vulnerable residents exposed to harsh winters. Mayor Doug O’Brien of Parksville and Mayor Teunis Westbroek of Qualicum Beach, along with

Raquel’s Outreach Ambulance Brings Healing to Oceanside's Streets… Where the homeless population faces daily battles with health and hardship, Raquel, a dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and footcare specialist, is bringing accessible care from the back of an ambulance. Operating as a mobile outreach unit, this innovative service targets vulnerable individuals, providing essential foot care and basic health support without the barriers of traditional clinics. “It’s abo

On Vancouver Island, where winters are defined by relentless rain, high humidity, and bone-chilling dampness, the system for opening extreme weather shelters is fundamentally flawed. Today’s conditions in Parksville exemplify this: temperatures hover around 6°C, but with 100% humidity and winds making it feel like 0.5°C, outdoor survival is unbearable for the unhoused. Yet, shelters remain closed because government thresholds prioritize freezing temperatures over the real dan

Dear Mayors and Councils of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, Last week in Qualicum Beach, as documented with the gas station at the top of the hill and with the RCMP, we at Manna Homeless Society encountered a senior citizen stripped of hope and clothes, disrobing in the intersection as despair overtook him. He’d heard of a shelter in Qualicum but found none. And although the gas station called the police, it was we at Manna who talked him down, offered love, clothed him, fed h

In the depths of winter, the sight of a makeshift tent huddled against the cold wall of a building serves as a stark reminder of societal failures. This image encapsulates the raw cruelty of homelessness, where vulnerable individuals endure freezing temperatures, exposed to the elements with little more than thin fabric for protection. Reports highlight how such encampments, often pushed to urban peripheries or against structures for minimal shelter, reflect a broader crisis

By a Concerned Oceanside Resident In the picturesque coastal community of Parksville on Vancouver Island — known for its sandy beaches, retiree-friendly vibe, and quaint downtown — a dark underbelly festers unchecked as winter grips the region. While tourists flock here in summer for Rathtrevor Beach sunsets, a growing number of locals face nights of unimaginable desperation. With no permanent overnight shelter and extreme weather protocols that activate only in the most dire