Local Good Samaritans are reaching out to the most vulnerable Squamish residents in an effort to fill gaps in the area's social safety net.
A group at Squamish's Church on 99 have established Project Love, the brainchild of church members who saw that there were needs not being met that would help residents struggling with poverty and addiction get back on their feet.
"Our mission is: where there's a need, we will fill it," said project co-founder Carmelle Cascanette.
Headed up by Meghan White and Cascanette, the initiative offers help by providing donated household materials, which they collect at their new storefront on Second Avenue.
"We are open four days a week for four hours. We are there and we have furniture, bedding, and emergency food, basics for babies we help people who are coming out of the shelter into new places," said Cascanette.
Project Love shows love in many forms, providing friendship, helping with addictions, food, clothing, and providing direction for those who need it. In conjunction with other initiatives, such as Stepping Stones, locals can receive items and skills to be re-integrated into a stable lifestyle.
And sometimes, said Cascanette, people come into the Project Love store just to talk.
"We're there for people who are lonely and need to talk. We pray with them," she said.
The center sees a fair bit of traffic on a given week, too.
"On an average Monday I will deal with at least 11 or 12 people who will come in with a need, or who would like to talk because they're lonely. On an average day we have at least eight people coming through," said Cascanette.
While helping Squamish locals, Project Love still needs support. A Squamish businessman helped the project co-ordinators with rent for the storefront, but there are still immediate needs that need fulfilling at the centre.
"We'll take any volunteers and we'll definitely take any articles," said Cascanette.
"We also need very good shaped beds, bedding, blankets, and new pillows. We are just about out of food, and we will always take diapers and formula, anything for babies. We did have cribs and change tables, those are all gone."
Co-ordinators are working on expanding Project Love with plans to offer games nights, teaching videos, bible studies, music nights, and more. For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.churchon99.ca or visit the Project Love storefront at 38054 Second Avenue in downtown Squamish.
