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Campaigns & Programs
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Food Security Fund
One million British Columbians - including children - don’t have enough food to eat. You can help change that.
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Food Link by United Way BC
Increasing access to available high quality, fresh and culturally appropriate food. ...
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United for people in need.
Help connect BC’s most vulnerable citizens with the support they need.
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A little goes a long way this holiday.
Thank you for taking the time before year-end to make a contribution that will support your community and count toward your workplace campaign.
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Your gift goes a long way.
Your donation, regardless of size, will help provide support for after-school programs for kids, people struggling with food insecurity, and seniors who feel lonely and disconnected from their community.
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Danielle’s Helping Hand
With recent changes and amalgamation, the decision to close Danielle’s Helping Hand was made in 2024.While this fund has been closed, United Way BC is making meaningful investments into the region, such as supporting Food Security, School’s Out programming for children and youth, and partnering with local agencies through community investment impact grants. To see available...
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Here. For happy new years.
Your care and compassion for the wellbeing of others inspires United Way BC’s work to drive positive, lasting change in our local communities. Your end of year donations help reach more of your neighbours.
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Here. For connection.
Life creates questions. 211 British Columbia is where you go for help finding answers.
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Here. For each other.
Help connect BC’s most vulnerable citizens with the support they need.
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Wildfire Recovery Fund
Bringing together the power of many to help those affected by BC Wildfires.
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Flood Response Fund
Bringing together the power of many to help those affected by BC Floods.
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Healthy Aging
Programs designed to help aging British Columbians remain active, connected, and engaged in their existing communities.
Impact Stories
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Addressing Food Security in Prince George
The Critical Food Infrastructure Grant provides much needed support, especially during Prince George's coldest time of the year...
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From Wildfire Devastation to Resilience and Food Security
Lake life can be dreamy, but for Dave, a 54-year-old North Shuswap resident, the dream became a nightmare in the summer of 2023 when the devastating Bush Creek wildfire raged through his community. “When the fires first started, it was a half-hour drive from my house. But when those winds came, it got so much closer.
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United for Food Security: More than just food – Food Hubs connect people and communities
“I’ve always had a sense of you don’t need a lot, you just need the necessities. And food and shelter are two necessities that every human being needs, regardless of who you are,” says Gwen, Project Lead with the Kekinow Indigenous Food Program at Surrey’s Kekinow Native Housing Society. Gwen and fellow volunteer Justin are integral...
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Navigating Food Security in Campbell River
Through a community-led approach, United Way BC Regional Community Food Hubs, like the one in Campbell River, have connected over 100 organizations to help over 228,000 people.
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Understanding and addressing food security in British Columbia
You’ve likely heard the term food security, but what exactly does it mean? This United Way BC blog post explores food security in our province; delving deeper into the definition of food security, examining its complexities in BC, and discussing the interconnectedness between food security and other societal factors. By providing a more nuanced understanding...
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Exploring food security in Cowichan
Supported by funding from United Way BC, Cowichan Green Community Society’s Food Recovery Project brings accessible and affordable food to the region.
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Community Champion Celebrated for Making Food Security Impact Work Possible
To commemorate BC Non-Profit Day (October 30th), United Way British Columbia Spotlights a Community Champion and Sheds Light on Our Vital Work in Enhancing Food Security Across BC Communities...
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The 11th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast helps bring Food Security to Local Communities
United Way BC is promoting the 11th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast, hosted by the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, to raise funds to increase Food Security to our community.
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Supporting food security
Healthy, nutritious food is far out of reach for many British Columbians living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. In fact, almost 12% of households in rural BC are food insecure.
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Food Security, Local Love and Vital Connections in the South Okanagan
Through our Food Security Initiative, United Way British Columbia is working with local community partners across the province to address British Columbia’s shifting food needs.
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United Way British Columbia supports food security in rural and Indigenous communities
Healthy, nutritious food is far out of reach for many British Columbians living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
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Understanding food insecurity in British Columbia
Food security and food insecurity. We often hear and see these terms, but what do they mean and how do they differ? Food security is reliable access to healthy food that results in positive long and short-term health and nutritional outcomes, while food insecurity is a lack of consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe,...
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United Way BC’s Food Hub in Clearwater Supports Kids & Youth at Christmas
On a foggy day in late December, a light layer of snow framed the Yellowhead Highway leading to the Municipality of Clearwater, an hour and a half’s drive from Kamloops. With only a few days to go until Christmas, the reason for this journey was special: A Holiday Meal at Clearwater Secondary School, supported by the...
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Making spirits bright: United Way BC’s Food Link and DoorDash deliver holiday hope in Burnaby
Holidays are a time of celebration, and, for some, considerable stress. Over the past few years many British Columbians have struggled to put food on the table. In BC, over 1.1 million people, 22% of our province’s residents, lack consistent access to sufficient nutritious food. It’s not only the high cost of food that’s affecting...
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2nd annual Regional Community Food Hubs Report released
Explore how we’re working with British Columbians to improve health and well-being across our province through United Way BC Regional Community Food Hubs.
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United for Food Sovereignty
In amongst the Hazelton and Bulkley Mountain ranges, where the Kitwanga River converges with the Skeena River in Gitxsan Laxyip (Territory), there is a rural community now called Kitwanga. Known as the “Okanagan of the North,” Kitwanga makes the ideal home for Jacob Beaton, Jessica Ouelette, and Tea Creek, an Indigenous-led, culturally safe, land-based food...
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Collaborating for Social Change – United for Food Summit 2024
Connection and collaboration are essential for addressing the challenges and inequities of BC’s current food system. On May 2 – 3, approximately 80 participants, including community partners from United Way BC Regional Community Food Hubs and Food Fillers, policymakers, funders, United Way staff and others gathered in the North Okanagan for United for Food Summit...
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Lower Similkameen Community Food Hub Farm & Garden brings culturally preferred food for enhanced health and well-being
The Food Hub provides food to those who need it most in the Lower Similkameen region through its initiatives, such as gathering and preserving traditional foods.
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Meeting food needs in remote communities – Clearwater Regional Community Food Hub launches
Food Hubs help rural, remote and Indigenous communities facing unique food access challenges.
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Making fresh food affordable from Campbell River north
Through their Strathcona Good Food Box program, Greenways Land Trust has distributed more than 12 tons of produce into the five communities it supports.
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When food as a commodity fails
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that not having access or enough money to purchase food, much less healthy food, is not a failure of any individual, but a consequence of a worldwide emergency that people as individuals cannot possibly be held responsible for.
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United Way Food Hubs serve up more than just a meal
1 in 7 Canadians currently live in food insecure households – and that number is even greater for families with children. Thanks to your local love, United Way has been able to respond to the crisis and ensure that our most vulnerable neighbours can get the help they need.
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United Way launches Food for BC campaign
Many people never thought they would need help. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. With mass layoffs and underemployment, many individuals and families are struggling to make ends meet – having to choose between paying rent and eating.
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United Way’s Period Promise broadens the impact of Local Love Food Hubs
May 28th is Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day devoted to breaking taboos about menstruation and raising awareness about good menstrual hygiene. United Way’s Period Promise campaign is proud to participate in the global movement to take action and provide product. Periods don’t stop for pandemics This year, Menstrual Hygiene Day is happening during a global pandemic that...
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Collaboration in Action: Social Prescribing Advocates Come Together
Curiosity filled the air, mingling with the inviting aromas of roast beef and clam chowder soup during a crisp evening at Bowen Park Complex Clubhouse in Nanaimo, BC. In a vibrant display of community spirit, the Nanaimo Family Life Association, a non-profit organization that receives funding from United Way BC, collaborated with physicians from the...
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United for Resilience: How Community and Support Rebuilt Hope After Wildfires
In the Summer of 2023, Fern moved to the North Shuswap with her five kids when the devastating Bush Creek wildfire raged through.
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Better Together: Highlights from the 2024 Provincial Summit on Aging
As United Way BC reflects on the recent success of the 2024 Provincial Summit on Aging, we are filled with gratitude for the inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking presentations, and hands-on workshops that made this event memorable. Aligned with the Better Together model of collaboration, the Summit highlighted how cross-sector partnerships are strengthening aging support systems across...
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The Maxine DeHart United Way BC Drive-Thru Breakfast Raised Close to $60,000!
Over 22 years, the bi-annual event raised $1,000,000 for United Way BC.
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Serving up community spirit in the Fraser Valley
Food brings the Fraser Valley together for community building and space sharing.
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Join us at the Maxine DeHart United Way BC Drive-Thru Breakfast!
In exchange for a donation, Drive-Thru guests will receive a breakfast bag, packed with delicious treats and goodies, coupons, and the opportunity to win fabulous grand prizes from local businesses.
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22nd North Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast Raises Over $18,000 for Community
Donations will bring hope to local children and youth...
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Communities come together to celebrate United Way BC Day
Officially declared United Way BC Day, September 12 marks the official launch of our fall fundraising campaign in partnership with over 1,500 workplaces across both the public and private sectors in the province. Celebrations included: Kick-off Breakfasts: Public events in Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Prince George to inspire workplace and community champions. Light Ups: Community partners...
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Celebrating Partnership and Impact: 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy Report Highlights
United Way BC commemorates a significant milestone with the release of the 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy Report from the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Sheila Malcolmson. This report builds on the accomplishments of the previous strategy, which was instrumental in supporting many vulnerable people in communities across the province. The Ministry’s ongoing commitment has...
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Eradicating Period Poverty
United Way BC’s Period Promise campaign collected more than 500,000 menstrual products and $56,000 for those in greatest need.
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Strengthening Community Connections: MLA Breakfast with United Way BC
Experiencing United Way BC’s Impact Firsthand!...
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Show Us Your Red!
United Way BC Day Kicked off the Annual Workplace Campaign with community, joy and celebration On Tuesday, September 26, United Way British Columbia, hosted the first-ever United Way BC Day, kicking off United Way BC’s 2023 Workplace Campaign. Each region held their own kickoff breakfast event, and various landmarks lit up in red to show their...
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The 21st Annual North Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast raised over $24,000 for the region!
Thank you to all the incredible local businesses and amazing community members that showed up, donated, volunteered, and supported the event. ...
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It takes a village. Here. For fuller hearts & plates.
A secluded community A winding, picturesque road weaves its way into the village of Gold River; the mountains and lakes of the provincial parks shoulder the highway that leads the way from Campbell River as the natural beauty of Vancouver Island ushers you into the community. Tucked in the forest, Gold River once housed two mills that...
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Better at Home – Supports that make a difference for seniors.
Anne is a storyteller. At 78 years old, she has a zest for life, a hunger for knowledge, and the willingness to embrace her past with love and compassion. Anne lives in Kamloops and although getting older has made several tasks much more difficult, she is an independent soul who loves her own space. It is...
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Hi Neighbour Clayton Heights creates a strong legacy
On April 17, United Way BC Hi Neighbour hosted an appreciation dinner at Clayton Heights Community Centre to celebrate our Clayton Community Champions and Clayton Heights’ transition into a legacy neighbourhood. Why Clayton Heights? Hi Neighbour Clayton Heights started in 2018 as a United Way BC (then United Way Lower Mainland) pilot initiative in response to increased social...
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Drive-Thru Breakfast
Join us on March 22, from 6:30 am to 9:00 am, at the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre!...
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TD Bank Group
Giving back is important to TD and helping those in need, like displaced Ukrainians, is one way they support community.
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Six local agencies will receive coaching support from United Way BC and partners
Meet the agencies in the Southern Interior that are helping to tackle key social challenges in our communities, and are the 2022 recipients of the Sustainable Recovery Grant.
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Healthy cooking
Food can provide more than just nutrition – meals done right can foster connection to community and to culture, resulting in healthy minds and spirits, too.
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Comox produce gleaning a win-win-win for all
Farms and orchards that need help picking, or residents with fruit-producing plants and trees can sign up for the program, allowing pickers and LUSH Valley to share in the bounty.
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The 10th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast raises nearly $26,000!
The 10th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast raised nearly $26,000 on the morning of Wednesday, March 2nd – a record-breaking result made possible by the generosity of local businesses and community members.
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2021 in Review – What a Year!
What a year! 2021 will go down in history as the year when United Way saw its largest amalgamation in Canadian history. ...
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Volunteers are vital for keeping our communities strong
Thanks to these dedicated, passionate, and selfless volunteers many British Columbians have received the help and support they needed when they needed it.
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United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island
To better meet the needs of British Columbians, six United Ways have merged as a single organization to increase impact in local communities around the province.
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Merger creates new United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island
The strategic transformation was guided by a shared mission to strengthen vital connections over the long term to create healthy, caring, inclusive communities.
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Public Policy Institute Class of 2021 – Virtually Connected While Staying the Course
The Public Policy Institute (PPI) Class of 2021 is the first-ever cohort in the program’s history to complete the program fully virtually via online learning (due to social distancing requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic).
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558,765 menstrual products collected to fight period poverty
After a remarkable 4 weeks, United Way’s Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross, ended on June 3rd.
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United Way is launching its 2021 Campaign, and you’re invited to join in
This year’s campaign kickoff is particularly special as we commemorate the first campaign season of our newly-minted United Way British Columbia - which will wrap around the theme of strengthening vital connections amidst the pandemic.
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United Way delivers child safety and wellness items for families across the Southern Interior
215 car seats and 50 baby care packages were delivered to 45 distribution hubs...
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211 British Columbia – Help Starts Here
The navigators who work for 211 British Columbia never know what kind of calls each day might bring. Unlike 911 for emergencies or 811 for health concerns, 211 British Columbia is a vital lifeline for connecting people to resources in local communities, which is available 24/7 in over 240 languages. Niina Niemi, Director at Helpline Services...
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Pushor Mitchell keeps a long-standing tradition of giving back through volunteerism
Thank you to all the incredible staff who showed up and made a significant impact on our community!...
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Angelyca’s School’s Out Story
Have fun, be kind, be safe, be respectful, try your best: these are the five principles of the United Way BC School’s Out Friendship Club run by Burnaby Neighbourhood House in the Metrotown area. Every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school year, approximately 20 kids, aged 5 – 12, pile into the portable when the final...
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Welcome Ukrainians
Hosting a displaced Ukrainian was Thais and her family's way to help United for Ukraine Canada in BC.
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Laundry upgrade offers essential hygiene
When we think of essentials for those who can’t afford them, we often think of food, water, shelter, basic healthcare, and security. But hygiene is essential, too.
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One agency, but not alone
In our larger urban centres, Vancouver Island has many agencies and organizations that we can lean on for support. But in our smaller communities, that lifeline can be reduced to a single agency.
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Where the work happens
With support from United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island with funding from the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, the Cowichan Housing Association project is housing some of the Cowichan region’s previously unsheltered citizens.
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Caring for a caregiver with home-cooked meals
Pandemic safety restrictions eliminated most of the in-person health-supports that Peter and his wife, Anna Lin, relied on. The United Way-funded Farm to Family Meals Service was the only support they had left.
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Knowledgeable, objective and kind – counselling as part of your healthcare visit
Funded by United Way British Columbia, the health centre counselling program at AVI Nanaimo is earning trust, providing support, and giving people that missing link on their way to being healthy.
Other Information
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Southern Interior Region
Serving the Okanagan, Columbia, Shuswap, Similkameen, West Kootenay Boundary, and East Kootenays, we help cultivate local love in our communities.
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Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region
Serving the Thompson Nicola Cariboo from the Rockies to Copper Desert, we invest in programs and initiatives that improve lives.
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United Way BC – North
Serving 32 communities and dozens of First Nations from Quesnel up to the Yukon border, and from Haida Gwaii across to the Alberta border.
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United for Food Security
Food insecurity is more than just not having enough to eat – it’s a daily emergency for many people. Unfortunately, many wildfire evacuees were already struggling before the fires with things like inflation, high rental costs, and increasing grocery prices. For them, every day feels like an emergency. With your help, we can ease the fear and...
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Help connect BC’s most vulnerable citizens with the support they need.
Your gifts over the past year helped us provide safe spaces for your neighbours to find support, resources, and connection. However, rising costs mean there is more work to do in 2024. Our local children deserve the opportunity to thrive through after-school and summer programs. Isolated seniors in our communities need companionship and care. People need assistance and...
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Drive-Thru Breakfast
Presented by Join us for the United Way BC 21st Annual North Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, from 6:30am to 9:00am, presented by Total Restoration Services. Date: Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 Time: 6:30am to 9:00am Location: Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre – 3914 32 St, Vernon, BC More information Drive-Thru guests who donate will receive a hot...
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United Way Campaign Toolkit
Your Campaign starts with you. The United Way campaign toolkit provides information to help you through every step of your campaign. Included are tips, best practices, forms, templates, materials, videos, and everything in between. These are all the necessary resources for coordinating a fun, educational and successful Workplace Campaign. Thank you for volunteering with your organization’s United...
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Our Work
What does United Way BC do? Learn how we’re driving positive impact and lasting change in local communities across British Columbia. Emergency ResponseFood SecuritySeniorsChildren & YouthCapacity BuildingHelpline ServicesIndigenous PrioritiesCommunities In times of crisis, we’re here to lend a hand Utilizing our extensive network of volunteers, partners, donors, and supporting agencies, we have organized strategic, rapid responses for the...
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Media
Media Inquiries For all media inquiries please email Dara Hill at DaraH@uwbc.ca. News ReleasesSpecial StatementsIn the NewsToolkit News Releases Thompson-Nicola Cariboo Communities Better...
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About United Way British Columbia
Helping British Columbians tackle critical social issues, through local love. About UsBoard MembersCampaign CabinetJEDITerritory Acknowledgement About Us Our Vision A healthy, caring, inclusive community. Our Mission We strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our local communities. United we are stronger: we’re United Way British Columbia! As of October 1, 2023, nine organizations across the province have joined together to become...