The stories provided below are from real people that Manna has had the opportunity to know and befriend this past year or for the past number of years. Names have been changed and details omitted when necessary to protect an individual’s identity. With Manna, we believe everyone helped is a “friend” and not a “client” because we’ve experienced the need for support, encouragement, and help in times of crises.
Sally
Sally came from Ontario five years ago escaping an abusive relationship and hoping for a new start. Manna provided her with a bike, work cloths, and food. Unfortunately Sally only felt affirmation when overwhelmed with chaos and self-harming addictive choices. Sally admits now she never realized her mental health problems and the necessity for counseling and medication. Initially Sally found the Island “too peaceful” so went back to Vancouver for a season.
Two years ago, Sally reached her lowest state and reached out for help. She returned to Parksville where she found supportive housing and continued to accept the friendship from Manna volunteers.
This week, Sally came to the Manna Van and presented a cash donation; “you guys have always been there for me and I just want to help so others can find that same kind of support.”
Mark
Mark thinks our new experiment with groceries is a great idea. Recently Manna has decided to experiment with a new approach when offering groceries. We realize the growing need for support amongst our Senior community. And we realize the temptation for isolation when individuals face difficulty.
Our goal is to help provide a supportive place for community building, support, and encouragement while offering food supplies in this time of economic and inflationary crises. The generousity of our supporters combined with the wholesale purchasing option from QF Foods makes it possible to order large quantities of healthy food options at reasonable prices. We are now experimenting with offering a grocery selection of stews, soups, cooking oil, salt/pepper, coffee/tea, taco shells, Bisquik, rolled oats, and peanut butter for a Loony each while still offering sardines, tuna, and cup-of-soup for free.
Mark likes this approach because he is able to purchase food supplies knowing his money will go to purchasing more groceries for those who may not be able to afford them. Mark expressed that he feels a part of a larger community this way.
Already we’ve been able to offer additional groceries to friends at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen every second Wednesday and have been invited to start offering groceries at the Saint Steven’s monthly Senior Supper.
Mark knows that Manna is more than food or stuff. Regularly he thanks us for “showing up and just being there.” And we appreciate Mark’s encouragement – he’s part of our community.
Dave
Dave is great. He’s positive, encouraging, poor but hopeful. Dave has been coming to the Manna Van since he retired about four years ago. Dave lives in an RV parked on a friend’s field but he doesn’t know how to cook for himself. So he eats at the Soup Kitchen, because that’s all he can afford. He picks up the occasional can of stew from Manna but mostly Dave just likes to chat and “chew the fat.”
Dave admitted that it never crossed his mind that being a part of a community meant being generous. He felt part of the Manna community so when we started to ask for a “buck a pop” for selected groceries Dave felt he could donate so others could benefit. This was the first time in his life Dave voluntarily gave money away – without asking for anything in return.
Mario
Mario was a 69-year-old living in his van in Penticton. While visiting the Island, Mario got into a car accident that left him injured and needing physiotherapy. While traveling back and forth to Nanoose for these treatments, his van broke down. Mario found a place he could live in his van while awaiting a new transmission. Mario had paid $1,000 to a mechanic to find a used transmission which left him with very little money and without transportation to get food or his medications. Mario did not know the area. He suffered from three forms of cancer and had a weak heart which greatly reduced his mobility.
By the Grace of God, Manna came upon him and was able to provide Mario with food, fuel for his camp stove, new clothes, shoes and a 4-wheeled walker. Manna helped take Mario for weekly showers at SOS, have his hearing aids repaired, have his phone fixed and pick up supplies. Over the next few months Mario grew increasingly sick; the mechanic failed to find a transmission for his van; and he was eventually forced to move from the place he had been camping.
Mario decided to use money he had just received from ICBC to fly back to Quebec and accept his sister’s invitation to move in with her. But Mario never returned to Quebec. Twice, he was taken to Urgent Care eventually being admitted into NRGH before being transported to Vancouver for specialist care. Throughout this difficult time, Mario was assisted by Manna with transportation to appointments, food, and most importantly a comforting friendship of support and encouragement until he passed away in St Paul’s Hospital.
Rest Peacefully Mario.
Your friends from Manna
Stu
To say that Stu is a private person would be an understatement – Stu is so private his normal sentence is monosyllabic. So whenever Stu requests something Manna tries to do whatever we can to meet that request. Normally Stu asks for shoes – large shoes, size 14 shoes – not the normal size of shoe we usually have on hand.
Often Stu’s shoes are in tatters before he gets around to requesting help – now we usually have a pair waiting for him and ready to go – but the amazing action that Stu requested recently was help with his feet.
Foot care is so important for our friends. Without proper attention foot fungus, ingrown toenails, and blisters can fester into conditions that threaten the loss of a toe – or worse, a foot – and even progress to threatening the immune system. Fortunately, Manna has a volunteer trained in foot care who can help Stu.
Meet Raquel, a new Manna Volunteer working alongside long-time Board member and volunteer, Penny.
Raquel is our foot-care specialist. She has gained a “foothold” in our Manna community through her dedicated compassion, friendship, and authenticity. Penny and Raquel travel with Manna’s RV, which provides a private spacious place to engage with friends in discussion about health, hygiene, and foot care. Raquel and Penny are regularly sought out for advice and help. Stu, Mitch, Ruth, and others regularly have their feet examined by Raquel and appreciate the support she and Penny provide.
Manna Program Report
- Our weekly food distribution has been rescheduled to every two weeks. We’ve begun to offer an increased supply of groceries for $1 each while still offering emergency food – sardines, tuna, and cup of soup. We’re still offering free hygiene supplies – soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, razors, and combs – as well as the opportunity to discuss health concerns with our retired nurse volunteers.
- The Bike program has been very successful with distribution of a dozen bikes to individuals in need of transportation for work or appointments. Recently, a bike was passed along to a man already hired to work at the new Wendy’s and he’s looking forward to his part-time role and the opportunity to gain new skills.
- Jerrold, Manna’s Community Chaplain, is going to Orca Place twice a week for morning times of conversation and encouragement. The residents at Orca have begun to seek out spiritual counsel and advice. Recently requests for sleeping bags and tarps are coming in and Jerrold has been able to offer assistance to those sleeping outside as the weather continues to get colder.
- Pinky and Robin are busy every weekend delivering food hampers to those who phone in for assistance. They regularly assist Seniors and families on welfare unable to financially keep up with the rise in grocery costs.
- Manna is continuing to supply lunch supplies to Springwood School. assisting with meals for twenty kids each day and as many as forty kids the week before welfare cheque day. We’re also supplying special dietary needs to the children attending school with health concerns.
- Manna’s newest additional support is foot care provided by Raquel. This service has been greatly appreciated and Raquel is able to assist people who visit our vehicles every two weeks at the soup kitchen as well as residents of OHEART’s supportive housing at the old VIP Hotel.
- Manna hosted two hotdog barbeques with our friends at OHEART’s supportive housing facility, the old VIP Hotel. We were able to meet many of the residents and renew contacts since many of these friends have accessed Manna support in the past. We remain concerned that a cold-weather shelter for our area is not available at this time and we’re working with OHEART and ICCS to request the province and city address this vital need.
How to help the vulnerable and less fortunate in Oceanside
- Whenever you see someone sitting alone on a bench or in front of a business; pause for a minute and greet that person – say “hello”, ask if you can speak with them for a moment and share your name. See if they’re O.K. or in need of help. Phone Manna – 250-248-0845 – if help is necessary with food, sleeping bag and tarp. Also, if you know of a Senior or family in need, please contact Manna and we will deliver emergency food supplies and help them get set up with the Food Bank if desired.
- We’re in need of additional hygiene supplies – travel size soap, shampoo, and conditioner as well as toothbrushes and travel size toothpaste. It is also handy to be able to offer travel size Kleenex, hand wipes, hand cream, lip balm, Tums, razors, nail clippers, combs, and hair brushes. Hand towels and face cloths are greatly appreciated.
- Gloves, gloves, and more gloves – we can’t seem to get enough gloves to last the season. We’ve got lots of toques and scarves but we’re in need of gloves. As well as winter boots, rain gear, rain pants, and rubber boots. Drop off all donations at the Manna Donation Box located opposite the main entrance to the Wild Life Recovery Centre on Leffler Road, Errington.
- Financial donations. With the rise in grocery costs our savings account has never been this low for almost ten years. Your donation allows us to purchase large quantities of food supplies wholesale from QF Wholesale Foods. This means financial support stretches farther and allows the purchase of healthy options – less sugar and salt – and self-sustainable choices like flour, baking soda/powder, salt & pepper, cooking oil, and rolled oats. Cheques can be mailed to: Manna Homeless Society Box 389 Errington, B.C. V0R-1V0
- Stay informed. You can organize an event with friends, family, or colleagues by having Jerrold, Manna’s Community Chaplain, come and address the group. Jerrold is prepared to lead a discussion on the causes of poverty, the situation in Oceanside, or global concerns that have local ramifications. He will also offer additional information about Manna and its ongoing work.
- Pass – us – along. If you like what Manna is doing, spread the word. Please pass along our newsletter and we’re happy to answer questions, just write; oceansidemanna@gmail.com – you can also write us to request assistance on behalf of someone in our community.
From all of us at Manna Homeless Society – thank you for being a part of our community and as we enter the Christmas Season; have a happy, blessed, and joyous Christmas.