Did you know it’s Giving Tuesday today?
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, where the power of the people and
organizations come together to transform their communities.
It’s a simple idea—a movement that encourages people to do good. The idea caught on and has grown worldwide, inspiring hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
This year, United Way Southern Vancouver Island is using the Giving Tuesday movement to highlight their More Than Meals program.
United Way’s More Than Meals enables seniors to get healthy meals delivered to their homes. Not only that—they are getting critically important social visits and connections with the outside world.
Anne’s story
Did you know that 94% of households in Canada consume peanut butter at least every few months? Peanut butter can also become a staple food for those who cannot afford another source of protein.
Anne is a widow and a recipient of United Way’s More Than Meals program delivered by the
James Bay New Horizons. She has been finding that cooking for one has had its challenges for various reasons.
“When you have been married for a long, long time, 60 years, it’s very difficult to find your rhythm on your own,” says Anne.
Greater Victoria has one of the country’s highest proportions of seniors over 65. Many local seniors experience extreme loneliness, malnutrition, mobility issues, and limited income.
The last few years have amplified these challenges—social interactions with friends and family, grocery shopping, in-person doctor’s appointments, and outdoor activities have become limited. The result is increased isolation, depression and anxiety, and food insecurity.
Since its launch in May 2020, More Than Meals has grown from delivering 200 meals a week to 50,000 meals a year for seniors in the region.
The program provides not only nutritious meals to people in their own homes but also social connections.
This Giving Tuesday, the needs of seniors in the community remain high.
For Anne, who is also a volunteer board member at James Bay New Horizons, the More Than Meals program offers invaluable nutritional and emotional support to many seniors living in the James Bay neighbourhood.
“Very often as you get older you are sitting home alone and that’s not good,” she says.
“I know now that I am going to get a decent meal and I’m not going to hit the peanut butter jar again.”
This Giving Tuesday, consider supporting seniors in Vancouver Island to maintain their
independence and connection.
Make a gift today and be a part of the season of giving.
If you donate here, your gift will be matched. UWSVI thanks its generous supporters Barb & Steve McKerrell for their $20,000 matching gift and Island Savings for their $10,000 matching gift.
United Way Southern Vancouver Island
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