WEST KOOTENAY BAGS OF LOVE FOUNDATION

Purpose: To provide personal care essentials and comfort items to people of all ages who are currently experiencing crisis hardship and/or distress. Continuing activities in support of purpose: The West Kootenay region of British Columbia suffers from high unemployment underemployment lack of affordable housing serious addiction issues funding cuts to mental health and family support services as well as limited services available to seniors experiencing poverty and related issues. A team of volunteers within the region will collaborate with private citizens community resources and social service agencies to obtain referrals and then provide much-needed daily essentials to people in crisis within the West Kootenay region. Volunteers will fill large bags with age-appropriate quilts personal care items toys books etc and deliver these bags to the community. Smaller personal care bags are also filled by volunteers and distributed within the region. Children who are being removed from their homes to more secure living environments will receive a large bag from their social worker at the time of removal. They are often not permitted to take any of their own belongings so receiving a bag helps to ease this transition. It is expected that many of the supplies needed to fill the bags will be donated by individuals and community businesses. The rest of the supplies will be purchased by donated funds fundraising and community grants. All items will be stored in the basement of a private home and volunteers will come to the home to fill bags and sort supplies. During this fiscal year West Kootenay Bags Of Love Foundation gave 75 bags to people in need.