At Covenant House Vancouver, our mission is to provide essential support to young people experiencing homelessness, and we’re seeing incredible transformations every day. One such story is that of Sam, a resilient young man whose journey from homelessness to independence exemplifies the vital role of our programs. However, as food costs continue to rise, we face increased challenges in maintaining the support that we offer. Here’s how you can help—and have your impact doubled.
Sam’s Journey: From Survival to Thriving
Sam’s path to stability was not easy. After years of living on the streets, he finally found housing, but his struggles were far from over. Initially, Sam survived on a diet of cereal and instant noodles, as he was too shy to ask for help. It was only through the support of Covey’s Cupboard, our essential food service, that he began to see a path forward.
Covey’s Cupboard provides nutritious groceries and meals to youth in need, and helps them not to just survive, but to thrive. Sam received food bags filled with items he loved, like frozen perogies and pasta. Over time, this support enabled him to develop his cooking skills and gain a sense of independence. Today, Sam proudly shares pictures of the meals that he prepares, which reflects his newfound confidence and growth.
The Rising Cost of Food: A Growing Challenge
While Sam’s story is one of hope and resilience, we’re facing a significant challenge: the rising cost of food. In recent months, prices have surged dramatically:
- Poultry: up by 4.5%
- Beef: up by 7%
- Eggs: up by a staggering 39.8%
These increases are putting a strain on our resources and making it more difficult to provide the same level of support to youth like Sam. The cost of essential items such as vegetables, dairy products, and proteins continue to climb, which affects our ability to maintain the high quality of support that youth depend on.
How You Can Make a Difference: Double Your Impact
From August 6–16, you have a unique opportunity to double your impact and support youth like Sam. Thanks to the generosity of the Steven Chambers Foundation, every dollar you donate during this period will be matched, up to $15,000. This means that your contribution will go twice as far in helping us combat the rising costs of food and enable us to continue to provide essential services.
Your donation will help support our kitchen team and Covey’s Cupboard, which will ensure that youth in need have access to nutritious food and the resources necessary to build a better future.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite you to join us in this crucial effort. Your generosity will not only help us meet the growing demands but will also empower young people like Sam to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.
Please consider donating during our Double Match Campaign and help us continue to provide vital support to those who need it most.
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to helping youth in need. Together, we can make a world of difference.