Community Supports

https://ridgemeadowssa.ca

The Salvation Army provides a variety of free supports which include:

Emergency Food Hampers: Provides emergency food hampers for families currently not receiving regular support from the local food bank and financially facing a hardship that is impacting their capacity to make ends meet. If on-going support is required, they are able to connect families to the food bank.

Contact: The Community and Family Services Coordinator, 604-463-8296 ext 112

Sonia’s Cradle: This program offers support for families with financial need who have a baby or toddler in the home. Support is extended beyond toddlerhood for families who have a child with special needs. Baby and toddler essentials are offered at no charge. Application for support can be found on their website or you may call the contact below.

Contact: The Community and Family Services Coordinator, 604-463-8296 ext 112

https://friendsneedfood.com/getting-help           

Families experiencing financial hardship may be able to access free weekly food hampers through the Friends in Need Food Bank. There are two depot locations – one in Maple Ridge, and one in Pitt Meadows. You can contact them by phone for further inquiry. Appointments are arranged by phone.

Maple Ridge: 604-466-3663 ext. 206

Pitt Meadows: 604-460-4619

Starfish offers weekly packs of food to support families over weekends when school meal programs are not available to students. One pack is provided per family and is accessed through schools. The home school will provide an application to families who sign for consent to have a bag dropped at their child’s school for pick up weekly. Student and family names are not shared with Starfish. The form is for internal school use only.

This program is currently at full capacity for the 2023/24 school year.

Every year the Christmas Hamper Society accepts applications from families who are receiving government assistance or who are of low income. They traditionally support families with a gift card (for food) as well as gifts for registered children under the age of 19. This year registration opens on Monday November 13, 2023, and closes on Wednesday December 13, 2023. Additional details and the link for registration is below.

Contact:  https://www.mrpmchristmashamper.org/

Families in need of assistance at Christmas may register for this program, which allows them to shop for gifts on designated days as assigned. Families can register through the link below. Registration runs through November.

Contact: www.ridgemeadowssa.ca/christmasvillage

Family Education offers a limited number of spots for registration for their Winter Celebration Hampers. It is a first come first serve basis, which often fills up quickly. Registration starts in early November.

Contact: Olive or Kim at reg@familyed.ca

Provides support to low-moderate income households, to assist in keeping families housed. Support is offered by way of loans, which support a variety of areas connected to housing security, with flexible repayment.

Contact: https://purposesociety.org/events/categories/rent-bank/maple-ridge-rent-bank/

Provides a directory of low-income housing options, inclusive of access to online application forms and contact numbers. Criteria for subsidized housing varies per site, with eligible candidates being able to apply for housing that is below market value rental rates.

Contact: https://housingsearch.bchousing.org/

A fair market value housing program located in Maple Ridge, that can support families needing 2-3 bedrooms. A long-realized dream of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services.

Contact: https://www.cornerstonerentals.ca/about

Offers a housing support program for Indigenous families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. To connect with a support worker, please contact Lizette at 604-313-4907. Additional information can be found at the link below.

Contact: Lizette at 604-313-4907.   https://www.frisociety.ca/homeless-outreach

The BC Healthy Kids Program supports low-income families with basic dental care, prescription eyewear and hearing assistance for children up to the age of 19. Families can visit the website and apply for these supplementary benefits.

Contact: https://www.gov.bc.ca/msp      604-683-7151

This site provides a list highlighting dental clinics in the lower mainland, including the UBC Emergency and General Dentistry program and the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society.

Contact: https://www.yourdentalhealth.ca/visiting-your-dentist/reduced-cost-clinics/

This grant supports costs up to 30% for a variety of dental treatments. An application form can be accessed on the website.

Contact: http://www.dentalgrants.org/british-columbia-dental-grants

Low-income families may apply for consideration of funding to support orthodontal costs, for families who could otherwise not afford treatment. An application form can be found on the website.

Contact: https://smiles4canada.ca/

Provides financial support to qualifying applicants to aid in the costs of sports and physical activities for children aged 4-18. The website identifies criteria for eligibility and information on the application process.

Contact: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/

Offers grants to qualifying families, to assist with sports registration fees up to $400 for children under the age of 18. Eligibility and application forms can be found on their website.

Contact: https://kidsportcanada.ca/

Schools are able to support families in accessing this fund, that supports extracurricular activities for lower income families. The fund can provide up to $150 per student per year. School principals must approve and sign an application for consideration. Applications can be submitted in September, February and May.

Contact: School administrator

Families may put in a request for consideration for a space for their child in a one-week summer camp offered each year. Registration is encouraged in the spring.

Contact: The Community and Family Services Coordinator, 604-463-8296 ext 112

Low-income households may apply for the Back-to-School Program, which provides school packs for kids. Packs include school supplies. Applications open at the end of each school year and can occasionally be accessed as late as the first week or two of school each September.

Contact: https://ridgemeadowssa.ca/back-to-school/

A variety of supports are available for Indigenous First Nation’s children under the age of majority, with status, or has a parent with status or without status but living on reserve. Jordan’s principal covers a variety of health, social and educational expenses. The website provides details of specific costs covered within these categories as well as instructions on the application process.

Contact: https://jordansprinciplehubbc.ca/who-and-what-is-eligible-for-funding/