Alexander was nervous the first time he showed up on the doorstep of Squamish's only homeless shelter.
He didn't know what to expect. He didn't know if he'd be judged. He just didn't know. What the tall, young Squamish resident - whose name has been changed to protect his identity - found was a supportive community when he needed it the most.
"It meant a lot to find a place like this," he says, while sitting in the office of Squamish Helping Hands Society. "The people here have open hearts."
Heart is really what keeps the society's many programs pumping, says the Helping Hands executive director Maureen Mackell. Approximately 300 volunteers, donors and contributors allow the shelter's door to remain open.
"We probably couldn't have the food distributions without volunteers," Mackell says.
On average, Helping Hands gives out 300 pounds of groceries a week to single mothers, the working poor and others in need. Volunteers collect the produce donated by stores, cafés and restaurants, says Andrea Purton, a manager at the society. The food then gets put toward the shelters' meals - at dinner they can serve up to 70 people - with the remainder repacked and sent out to residents at Cedar Manor, Castle Rock Housing, the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society and other organizations.
"We are still looking for healthy produce," Purton notes. "We are always able to pick up [food] and work with any willing business."
The society is expanding its Brown Bag Lunch program. Currently, delivering healthy lunches to 70 students at schools throughout Squamish, the organization plans to provide weekend grocery boxes to youth.
"We can't feed kids in the shelter," Purton says, "so we are looking at getting it out into the community."
Volunteers who deliver the goods are paid for their gas. The society has a steady crew of seven. Purton says the society needs more volunteer to help fill gaps.
"We will find something that fits you and your schedule," she says.
Helping Hands is also on the hunt for a new home to house the shelter and its growing services, says Mackell. The Squamish Community Foundation funded a feasibility study for such a facility. The organization is open to any help - capital or a donation of land.
"We need a new home to do what we are doing, only to do it better," Mackell says.
Alexander now also volunteers at the facility that is so close to his heart. He helped grow peas, carrots and lettuce in the shelter's community garden, produce that is later used for the dinner service or sold at the farmers' market. It's a new experience, he says, noting he's learned to be patient as a green thumb.
"It's a great environment," Alexander says of the shelter. "They make sure everyone feels safe."
For more information about the society or to donate or volunteer with the organization visit www.SquamishHelpingHands.ca or call (604) 815-4984.
