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Dear Friends, Neighbours, and Kind-Hearted Supporters, At the Manna Homeless Society, we’ve witnessed the raw resilience of our community firsthand. Since 2011, we’ve been a beacon of hope in the Oceanside area of British Columbia, delivering emergency food packages, warm clothing, hygiene essentials, bikes for getting to work or shelter, and survival packs to those facing the unimaginable—homelessness, poverty, and the constant threat of exposure to the elements. But this winter, as temperatures drop and families huddle together in the shadows, we know food and blankets alone aren’t enough. What our brothers and sisters in need truly deserve is stability—a roof over their heads, a door they can lock, and a chance to rebuild. That’s why we’re reaching out with a heartfelt plea: We’re desperately seeking donations of used trailers, RVs, and motorhomes . These mobile homes could transform lives overnight, providing immediate, safe shelter for individuals at risk of eviction, families fleeing domestic crises, and our unhoused neighbors who brave the streets every night. Imagine a single mom with two kids pulling into a donated RV, finally able to cook a hot meal, store their belongings securely, and focus on job hunting without the fear of losing everything to the rain. Or a veteran, weathered by years on the road, finding dignity in a simple trailer that feels like home. Your gently used vehicle—perhaps one sitting idle in your driveway, gathering dust after your last adventure—could be the lifeline that breaks the cycle of despair. No need for it to be perfect; we can handle basic repairs through our volunteer network. Every donation means dignity restored, dreams reignited, and futures secured. How You Can Help Right Now: •   Donate : Contact us immediately if you have a trailer, RV, or motorhome ready to give. We’ll arrange pickup and handle all the paperwork. •   Spread the Word : Share this plea with your networks—friends, family, local RV clubs, or online groups. •   Learn More : Visit mannahomelesssociety.com or follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/p/Manna-Homeless-Society-100069028420411/). Reach Out Today: Call Robin Campbell at 250-248-0845 or send mail to us at: PO Box 389, Errington, BC V0R 1V0 Your generosity isn’t just a gift—it’s a revolution in one person’s world. In the spirit of compassion that binds us all, The Manna Homeless Society Team Serving the homeless, elderly, hungry, and poverty-stricken in Oceanside since 2011.

Melanie Peake (Personal Real Estate Corporation) recognized Robin Campbell for his volunteer work with Manna Homeless Society in the Oceanside community. Thanks to a nomination by Sandi Haines, Robin was presented with a $500 cheque for Manna. The details below can be found on Melanie Peake's Facebook Post . On this second week of Espresso your Gratitude, we are celebrating Robin Campbell whose tireless work with Manna Homeless Society is making a meaningful difference across Oceanside. Since 2011, Manna has been a lifeline for individuals, couples and families facing homelessness — delivering groceries, survival packs, bikes, clothing and respectful care. Thank you, Robin, your compassion and leadership! Also, a special thank you to Sandi Haines from Westland Insurance for nominating Robin.

As the dark clouds gather and the first heavy rains begin to fall, our hearts break a little more each night. Here at Manna Homeless Society, we’ve been out on the streets of our city, side by side with those who call the sidewalks and underpasses home. These are our neighbours—fathers, mothers, veterans, and youth—who face the unrelenting downpour with nothing but thin layers and weary spirits. Without proper shelter, they’re soaked to the bone, shivering through endless nights that steal their warmth and dignity. We’ve handed out what blankets and tarps we can, but the cold, wet reality is hitting harder than ever. Right now, we need your help to wrap our community in comfort. We’re urgently calling for gently used or new sweatpants and hoodies in all sizes—men’s, women’s, and children’s . These simple items aren’t just clothes; they’re shields against the storm, a reminder that someone cares, and a chance for restful sleep instead of endless chills. If you can spare even one pair of sweatpants or one hoodie from your closet, it could change a life this season. Drop-offs are welcome at our center or reach out to coordinate a pickup. Every donation fuels our mission to meet people where they are—with compassion, supplies, and hope. Together, we can turn the tide on this rainy despair. Thank you for being the light in our community’s storm. Let’s show our unhoused friends they’re not alone. With deepest gratitude, The Manna Homeless Society Team Clothing donations can be made at the Manna Storage Building, located across the parking lot from the Wildlife Recovery Centre at 1240 Leffler Road in Errington. We have very limited storage space so please call (or text) Robin at 250.248.0845 first regarding any items that you wish to donate. Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Without a weather shelter in Oceanside, the less fortunate are doing their best to manage.

Bring your sweatpants, hoodies, tarps, tents and more to 826 Island Hwy W, Parksville

In the hush of a city that never truly sleeps, when the autumn chill bites through threadbare coats and the rain falls like a relentless curtain, there is a sacred summons. It whispers not from the warmth of hearth and home, but from the shadowed areas where the forgotten huddle. To step out on such nights—to carry sleeping bags , warm clothing, tents ,food and a word of hope wrapped in prayer—is to answer the heart of the Gospel. It is to embody the command of the Creator Himself: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36, NIV). In the face of the downpour, we do not merely aid the homeless and the poor; we serve the King disguised in their weary eyes. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Why venture forth when the wind howls and the gutters overflow? Because the love of the Creator is not a fair-weather flame, flickering only under sunlit skies. It is a fire kindled in the storm, as Isaiah proclaimed: “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:7). The rain that soaks your boots is the same that once flooded the earth in judgment, yet Noah built the ark amid the gathering clouds. So too must we build arks of compassion—tents pitched against the tempest, hands extended to pull the shivering from the curb. James echoes this urgency: “Religion that our Creator accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). In a world polluted by indifference, our purity shines brightest when we wade through the rain to embrace the outcast. Yet the night will test you, not just with cold fingers and dripping hems, but with the sharper sting of discouragement. Your own heart may falter first, whispering doubts like shadows at dusk: What difference does one night make? The problem is too vast; your efforts too small. Turn back—the warmth calls. Others may join the chorus, their voices laced with concern or critique: It’s foolish to risk your health for strangers. There are no shelters ;Let someone else handle it. These are the tempests within, fiercer than any gale. But heed the apostle’s charge: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Weariness is the enemy’s snare, but perseverance is the plow that breaks the fallow ground. Paul, battered by chains and shipwrecks, declared, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). If he pressed on through literal storms at sea, how much more should we refuse the siren’s song of self-pity on rain-slicked pavement? Discouragement from without is no less insidious—friends who mean well, skeptics who scoff, or the weary souls we serve who lash out in pain. “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33), yet even here, grace abounds. Remember Elijah, who fled in despair to the wilderness, only to hear the Creators still small voice amid the earthquake and fire (1 Kings 19:11-12). The rain may roar, the doubters may clamor, but the divine whisper persists: Go. Serve. Love. For in every sodden blanket handed over, every shared umbrella against the sleet, you etch eternity into the now. You become the hands of the Creator , warming the world one freezing night at a time. So rise, beloved, when the forecast darkens and the door creaks against the wind. Let no inner tremor or outer taunt deter you. The poor wait not in abstract statistics, but in flesh and bone, their stories a symphony of suffering that only your obedience can harmonize with heaven’s song. As the Psalmist prayed, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4). In the cold and the rain, you are God’s answer. Press on. The dawn will break, and with it, the warmth of a reward that no storm can quench. Love and Blessings, Robin Campbell Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Rod Morrison (middle) donated three commercial tents to put our food and supplies under when we set up (Manna volunteers Raquel, left, and Jerrold, right) We're now able to keep dry on Wednesdays & Saturdays Shelter is welcome during the rainy season

In the shadow of Vancouver Island’s picturesque beaches, where the salty air mingles with the scent of cedar forests, a quiet crisis unfolds each night. For dozens of women in the Parksville and Oceanside area—from Whiskey Creek to Qualicum Beach—their homes are not cozy apartments overlooking the Strait of Georgia, but the cramped confines of minivans, sedans, and SUVs. These women, often invisible to the tourists snapping photos of Rathtrevor Beach’s sands, navigate a daily gauntlet of survival that strips away dignity, health, and hope. According to the 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count conducted by BC Housing, 94 people experienced homelessness in the Parksville-Qualicum region, with 90 of them unsheltered—many in vehicles—and 31% identifying as women.  This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a symptom of a community turning its back on its own. A Day in the Life: Precarious Routines and Constant Vigilance Dawn breaks over Parksville’s waterfront, and Sarah—whose name has been changed for privacy—stirs in the back of her 2012 Honda Odyssey. At 52, she’s a former administrative assistant who lost her rental to a landlord sell-off amid soaring costs. Her morning begins with a furtive check of the mirrors: no tickets from overnight parking enforcers, no aggressive knocks from passersby. She drives to the public pool in Qualicum Beach for a hurried shower, rationing her $1,200 monthly disability cheque between gas, groceries, and the occasional laundromat visit. The day unfolds in a blur of necessity. Breakfast is a thermos of instant coffee heated on the car’s engine block, alongside canned soup warmed the same way—a trick shared among the “car community,” as locals quietly call it. Errands mean circling parking lots at the Quality Foods grocery or the Parksville Community Centre, always ready to move if a security guard approaches. Evenings bring the hunt for a discreet spot: behind a strip mall, along a quiet residential street, or near the weigh station on Highway 19A, where bears have been drawn to encampments, heightening dangers.  For women like Sarah, safety is paramount; many, including Indigenous women who make up 84% of the unsheltered in the count, flee domestic violence, choosing the isolation of a vehicle over returning to abusers.   In BC, 59% of women escaping intimate partner violence face financial abuse that traps them in this limbo, with average one-bedroom rents hitting $2,300—far beyond reach on fixed incomes. These routines erode privacy and autonomy. Cooking is limited to a single-burner camp stove used sparingly to avoid detection. Laundry? A public machine every two weeks, if funds allow. And sleep? Interrupted by the rumble of passing trucks or the chill seeping through thin windows, even in October’s damp mildness. Jerrold Paetkau, community chaplain with Manna Homeless Society, estimates 60 to 100 people—many first-time homeless like grandmothers and aunts—are enduring this in the area, prioritizing meds and meals over rent to cling to a shred of self-respect. The Hidden Health Toll: A Body and Mind Under Siege Living in a vehicle isn’t survival—it’s slow erosion. The confined space, often no larger than a queen-sized bed, fosters chronic issues: back pain from contorted sleeping positions, respiratory problems from poor ventilation, and heightened risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if idling for heat in winter.  Hygiene suffers without reliable access to bathrooms or showers, leading to infections, skin conditions, and the psychological weight of feeling perpetually unclean. Mental health deteriorates too—constant hypervigilance breeds anxiety and depression, compounded by isolation. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council notes that vehicle-dwellers face elevated risks for severe illnesses, from hypothermia in uninsulated cars to substance use as a coping mechanism. In the 2025 count, 63% of respondents reported co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, with women particularly vulnerable to trauma from violence.  For those fleeing abuse, the car’s “safety” is illusory: no locks strong enough against intruders, no space to process PTSD. Emergency room visits—accessed by 80% in the past year—burden an already strained Nanaimo hospital, where hypothermia and overdose cases spike without winter supports.  It’s a vicious cycle: illness prevents job hunting, deepening poverty, while the lack of stable rest impairs healing. Barren Ground: Limited Services and Nowhere Safe to Park Oceanside’s services are a patchwork at best. Manna Homeless Society offers food hampers and outreach, but no dedicated drop-in center exists for daily needs. The Oceanside Homelessness Task Force, reformed in August after disbanding in May, coordinates sporadically, but lacks municipal backing for essentials like consistent cold-weather shelters—leaving unhoused women to face another winter exposed, as in February 2025 when no overnight options materialized.    Safe parking? A pipe dream. Manna proposed designated lots in February—secure spots with oversight to shield against harassment and theft—but Parksville’s mayor deemed it a “non-starter,” citing community resistance.   Women park at their peril: RCMP calls rose slightly in early 2025, often tied to encampment complaints, while bylaws target “nuisance vehicles” without alternatives.  For violence survivors, this scarcity is deadly—shelters turn away callers, with BWSS fielding over 52,000 requests last year alone, many from women opting for cars over danger. Dehumanizing Our Own: The Ripple of Indifference By allowing women to vanish into vehicles, Oceanside dehumanizes a vital community thread. These aren’t “transients”—82% have been homeless a year or more, 61% five years or longer, many lifelong locals.  We’re eroding our social fabric: families splinter as children couch-surf, workers burn out from exhaustion, and Indigenous women—overrepresented at 84%—bear intergenerational scars from systemic racism.  This indifference festers, breeding resentment—protests at Parksville City Hall in October 2024 demanded shelters, met with zoning excuses—while petty thefts rise from desperation, tainting the “small-town charm.” It’s self-inflicted harm. Tourism dips as encampments mar beaches; cleanup costs balloon; ERs overflow, hiking taxes for all. In Whiskey Creek, a 2020 trailer fire claimed three lives amid isolation— a tragedy born of neglect that echoes today.  By sidelining these women, we dim the empathy that binds us, turning neighbors into suspects. Leadership’s Blind Spot: Yards Over Lives Where is the care? Local leaders fret over unkempt yards and bear sightings at weigh stations—minor eyesores that dominate council agendas—while homelessness claims lives unchecked.  The task force, chaired by outreach worker Shayla Day, begs for zoned shelters and outreach funding, but bureaucratic inertia prevails, labeling solutions “band-aids” unfit for a crisis killing 458 provincially in 2023, with Vancouver Island hardest hit.   This misplaced focus—on aesthetics over agony—signals a poverty of compassion, where the “messy neighbour’s yard” trumps the mess we’ve made of human lives. It’s not inevitable. Expand safe parking, fund transition housing, recognize “invisible” women in counts. As Paetkau implores: “Everyone deserves safety at least, right?”  Oceanside, let’s choose love over lots left empty. Our women—and our souls—depend on it. Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO Thank you for your love and support! Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society

M&N Mattress has always provided Manna with beautiful mattresses and box springs for people at risk who needed assistance. Their generosity benefits the community in so many ways, which is truly a blessing. Mark from M&N mattress presents Robin from Manna with a cheque. If you wish to support M&N Mattress, this week is the final week of their 25th Anniversary Sale in Parksville. Donations can be made to Manna Homeless Society by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO Thank you for your love and support! Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society

Penny from Craig Bay residents association loaded Manna up with a wonderful selection of winter clothing and an assortment of survival gear. Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO Thank you for your love and support! Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society

As the chill of winter approaches on Vancouver Island, the conversation around supporting our most vulnerable residents—particularly those experiencing poverty and homelessness—has taken center stage. Victoria’s Mayor Marianne Alto has issued a passionate plea to municipalities across the region, urging each community to take responsibility for its own citizens by establishing winter shelters and warming stations. This call, rooted in the recognition that homelessness is a shared challenge, not just an urban one, resonates deeply here in Parksville. It’s time for our Mayor and Council to respond affirmatively and lead by example. Mayor Alto’s statements highlight a critical imbalance in how extreme weather support is distributed. In a recent council meeting, she emphasized that “it is long past time for other municipalities in the region to stand up and provide support for their own residents.”  She pointed out that Victoria has long shouldered a disproportionate burden, with most emergency shelters concentrated in the capital while other areas contribute minimally. This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about saving lives during harsh winter conditions, where temperatures can drop to dangerous levels, exacerbating health risks for the unhoused. While Alto’s direct appeals have been aimed at Capital Region municipalities like Saanich, Oak Bay, and Esquimalt—many of which have yet to fully commit to their own facilities—the principle extends island-wide.  Vancouver Island’s interconnected communities, from Victoria in the south to Parksville and beyond in the north, face similar seasonal challenges. Homelessness doesn’t respect municipal boundaries; individuals often migrate to larger centers like Victoria for services, straining resources there. By setting up local warming stations and shelters, Parksville can ensure that our residents receive care closer to home, reducing the need for such migrations and fostering a more equitable system across the island. Focusing on the poor and vulnerable, as Alto advocates, aligns with Parksville’s values of compassion and community support. Our town, known for its beautiful beaches and retiree-friendly atmosphere, is not immune to poverty. Local data shows a growing number of individuals facing housing insecurity, influenced by rising costs and limited affordable options. Establishing winter shelters—perhaps in partnership with non-profits, churches, or community centers—could provide essential warmth, meals, and connections to social services during cold snaps. Warming stations, activated when temperatures hit thresholds like 0°C with precipitation or below -4°C, could be simple yet effective: portable tents, heated buses, or designated indoor spaces equipped with basic amenities. The benefits extend beyond humanitarian grounds. Proactive measures can prevent emergency room overloads, as seen in Victoria where cold-related health issues spike in winter. By caring for our own, Parksville can build stronger community resilience, encourage volunteer involvement, and even attract provincial funding for such initiatives. Mayor Alto has offered her city’s model as a blueprint, inviting others to “steal from us” and adapt it— a generous starting point for our Council to consider. To date, responses from other areas have been mixed, with some, like Saanich, planning limited spaces while others, such as Sidney, have outright rejected proposals due to community pushback.  Parksville has an opportunity to distinguish itself by acting decisively. Our Mayor and Council should convene discussions immediately, engaging residents, service providers like the Salvation Army or local food banks, and even reaching out to neighboring Qualicum Beach for collaborative efforts. In the spirit of island-wide solidarity, let’s heed Mayor Alto’s call. By establishing our own winter shelters and warming stations, Parksville not only supports its citizens but contributes to a more compassionate Vancouver Island. The time to act is now—before the first frost reminds us of the human cost of inaction. Mayor and Council, the community is watching and ready to support you in this vital endeavor. Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

The human cost is undeniable. Without adequate shelter, exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. As one advocate noted in a recent discussion, “People could die” without timely interventions.  Stories from the community echo this fear: residents of temporary motels and shelters worry about being thrust back onto the streets when programs end, as seen in past closures that left people scrambling. On social media, voices from Vancouver Island and beyond highlight the inadequacy of current systems, with calls for more beds and better planning as storms approach. The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness, reformed in August 2025 after a brief disbandment, has been pushing for solutions since 2010.  Yet, Parksville Council’s engagement has been inconsistent. In April 2025, council voted against reinstating a city liaison to the task force, a move that drew criticism for sidelining collaboration.  While Coun. Mary Beil was appointed as liaison earlier in 2024, the need for stronger commitment remains. Non-profits like Manna Homeless Society provide foot care, food, clothing, tents and resources, but they can’t fill the void left by insufficient government action. Comparisons with other regions show what’s possible. BC Housing’s Emergency Shelter Program includes year-round and temporary winter options across the province, with extreme weather response plans activated when conditions warrant. Communities like Victoria have funded agreements for shelters, demonstrating proactive leadership. Parksville could follow suit by partnering with BC Housing and the RDN to establish a dedicated warming shelter—perhaps expanding on existing sites like churches or adding modular units for flexibility. Mayor O’Brien and council members, the time for deliberation is over. With recent tremors, floods, and cold fronts reminding us of Vancouver Island’s volatile weather, delaying action risks lives.  Residents can contact council at council@parksville.ca to voice support.  Let’s make Parksville a community that protects all its members, not just in fair weather, but when the storms hit hardest. The vulnerable can’t wait—will you? Donations can be made by e-transfer to: MannaParksville@gmail.com   Or  cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O.  Box  389 Errington BC VOR 1VO Thank you for your love and support! Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society