Share Community & Family Services Going Strong But in Need of Support

Share Family and Community Services recently held their annual fundraising gala with a "No Place Like Home" Wizard of Oz theme. Funds raised at this event go toward several services that Share Family and Community Services offer to the community.

First and foremost, Share Family and Community Services is known for operating a food bank located in Port Moody that services the Tri-Cities. With the increasing cost of staples such as food continuing to be a challenge and more and more people struggling to make ends meet this service provided by Share has become an essential lifeline for hundreds of people in our community.

Share gets no provincial or federal funding to help with this service; most of the funding is derived from the Tri-Cities community. Community partners such as Wesbild which has provided the building in Port Moody where Share operated their food bank for over 20 years. Share also partners with Hillside Church and Trinity United Church to operate their food bank services.

Share's Legal Advocacy Services assists those in need of help filling out paperwork and navigating through the red tape required to apply for governmental services or even apply for a proper ID.

Share Community and Family Services also runs many other programs that benefit the community including an English language program to assist immigrants to the region.

Senior housing currently includes 388 units of affordable housing across the Tri-Cities, which they hope to expand. This effort is being accomplished with the help of provincial and federal funding. Additionally, they are providing caregivers to help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible. Gurdy Grosser '72 began as a clothing collection initiative for the needy.

Share also provides counselling for all walks of life, from play therapy for children, programs to help adults cope with addictions, and even programs for seniors.