Community Voices: 20 Years of Loving Service in Parksville and Oceanside

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, regardless of their circumstances.

Recently, we were asked to leave our street outreach location. Not because our work was harmful, but because the consistent presence of our team made the growing reality of hardship impossible for some to ignore. By shining a steady light of care, we left too big an imprint. More people are living in vehicles. More faces reflect the daily struggles of poverty, illness, and isolation. The pain that many preferred to keep hidden was suddenly visible in our own community. This visibility has embarrassed and upset certain residents who do not view these individuals as truly part of our shared home.

How pitiful it is to turn away from suffering in our midst. How sad to dehumanize a man or woman living in their cars with diabetes and a heart condition by labelling him or her a “drug addict,” especially when so many others face similar realities. These are our neighbours — people worthy of dignity, safety, and compassion, not exclusion or judgment. We pray for those who feel discomfort at the sight of need. May their hearts soften and their empathy grow.

We are deeply grateful to Saint Edmund’s Church for generously opening their property up for our Saturday outreach. This allows us to continue serving with love. So we give thanks to the churches of the community that haven’t lost their way.

Our programs include:

•  Foot care clinics

•  Pharmacist consultations

•  Nurse practitioner support

•  Hot meals and food distribution

•  Clothing and essential supplies

•  Free bikes

•  On-call crisis support and weekly gatherings

Wednesdays we meet at the railroad track, Saturdays at Saint Edmund’s, and our team remains available on call throughout the week. After 20 years, our commitment has never wavered: every person matters, and hope is for everyone.

To our community: thank you for every act of kindness. Let us choose inclusion, empathy, and love.

Love and blessings,

Robin Campbell

Manna Society

Bringing hope to the homeless and people at risk

To Support Our Work:

E-transfer: Mannaparksville@gmail.com