Now is the time to give hope after tough year

Let's help non-profits continue their urgent work, say Niki Sharma, Kennedy Stewart and Kevin Mccort.

As 2020 comes to a close, the long tunnel of COVID-19 finally has a glimmer of light at the end. As governments announce vaccination plans and our collective efforts start to flatten the curve once again, 2021 promises us all some much-needed hope.

When we look back on this challenging year, many of us will remember the heroic efforts of health care and front-line workers who helped get people and businesses through the pandemic. But what has been less talked about is the immense contribution of charities and non-profits in every corner of our province.

B.C.'S non-profit sector is vast in size, scope, and impact. It employs 86,000 people and serves tens of thousands more. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this sector reminded us that one thing we can always count on in a crisis is our community.

For example, between March and August, Vancouver Food Runners, a non-profit aimed at addressing hunger, redirected nearly 120,000 pounds of food through the support of dozens of tireless volunteers. They connected food distributors with charities and rapidly delivered donations of fresh, healthy food to make sure people didn't go hungry.

Stories like this played out across B.C. as hundreds of non-profits and thousands of volunteers rallied together to keep our communities strong. Naturally that meant addressing urgent needs like keeping isolated seniors connected, ensuring access to food, and helping those hit hardest by the pandemic. But it also meant going beyond, doing things like protecting animal welfare or promoting arts and culture at a time when people needed positivity and inspiration more than ever. Now, when we need them most, this sector is being hit hard by COVID-19.

Charities and non-profits have been there for us throughout this crisis. That's why we're asking all British Columbians to show up for them at this critical time of year. If you have a tradition of giving or volunteering, your community needs you now more than ever. And if you've never gotten involved before, please make this the year you start.

According to a recent survey, 74 per cent of non-profits say they have experienced a drop in donations. As physical distancing orders came into effect, 68 per cent of the sector experienced challenges with staff and volunteers working remotely. Just as COVID-19 was making more of B.C.'S non-profits a vital service, one in five were closing or preparing to close.

The province has stepped up and provided assistance, including $50 million to expand services for seniors through the Lower Mainland, $3 million to Food Banks British Columbia and $5 million to enhance virtual mental health supports. The non-profit sector had a representative on the Premier's Economic Recovery Task Force that was struck at the start of the pandemic. The province has demonstrated its commitment to the sector by appointing a parliamentary secretary to advocate for and ensure charitable organizations and the non-profit sector are engaged and supported through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. Through the City of Vancouver, more than $2 million in emergency capital and operating grants have helped many organizations and their volunteers continue to provide critical services to our neighbours. Vancouver Foundation, along with major partners and generous individuals, granted nearly $20 million to charities when they needed it urgently. These important actions have made a real difference.

Now it's time for all of us to step up in whatever ways we can. If you have the ability, an end-ofyear donation to your favourite local organization couldn't come at a better time. If you have time to give, many organizations have adapted systems and adopted new technologies that help people pitch in while staying safe, or even staying at home. And perhaps most importantly, as we close this year of so much uncertainty and worrying news, all of us should take a moment to spread good news about local charities and non-profits by celebrating their work among our friends, family, and on social media.

When we look back at 2020 and what we all did to get ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities through COVID-19, we can be proud to say we rallied together to show our gratitude for B.C.'S non-profits — and our solidarity with the tens of thousands of people who rely on them each day.