Family Services of North Shore is expanding by giving away clothes for Christmas | Popgen Tech

Content of the article

The North Shore Christmas Office Family Services wants your clothing — preferably coats, mittens, jackets and other cold weather clothing.

Content of the article

Along with giving out holiday gift baskets to needy families and individuals and organizing a toy store, the nonprofit group has put together a clothing store at its community center on the second floor of the old Sears department store in Capilan Mall.

Content of the article

The organization expanded its services to offer clothing a couple of years ago, says senior bureau manager Michelle Varley.

“But it’s expanded because we have a new space and we can plan it as a store. It’s been a real hit because it’s like real shopping for our customers. It’s not just about getting the clothes, it’s about being able to feel like they’re shopping in a store.”

The clothes are collected by word of mouth as well as at local schools. Toys are purchased through Toy Drives. The holiday gift baskets, which include a $50 grocery card, are funded by donations, including money from the Empty Stock Fund.

Content of the article

Each year, generous readers of The Province enable ESF to help 26 Christmas bureaus and groups in the Lower Mainland. Since 2001, the 104-year-old foundation has raised more than $7 million.

“Our families tell us time and time again how much they appreciate the support, how much it has saved their lives,” Varley said.

This year, she expects the organization to serve about 1,200 families, which is about 2,500 people, or about the same as last year./

“We’ve had a lot of new applications, maybe around 100. But a lot of our families have moved from the North Shore.”

More than 300 volunteers perform each season, and sponsors put together gift baskets. Registrants can deliver baskets or come and pick them up.

Content of the article

“A lot of our families like to come and pick them up,” Varley said. “We put out food and try to make it feel like a Christmas party. It’s about that connection, and it’s gotten stronger since the pandemic.”

Family Services of the North Shore offers year-round services, including a back-to-school clothing store in August.

“We’re really hoping to have clothes that match the season. And probably in the spring we will do something again, where we offer personal hygiene packages. Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, it all adds up. And we saw a lot of families who had to buy one type of soap for all their needs, but we were lucky that a donor recently gave us household soap that we were able to give to all of our families.”

Content of the article

It’s easy to take things for granted, Varley notes.

“But all this makes me appreciate what I have, that I have a roof over my head and food is always on the table. It is very rewarding for our families to receive these donations and they are very grateful and sweet. And we learn a lot from the people who come here.”

More news, less advertising: Our in-depth journalism is made possible by the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 a week, you can get unlimited, premium access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | Province.