When Christmas comes around, it's heartbreaking to know there are some local seniors who have no means to celebrate.
That's front of mind for the folks at Burnaby Community Services, the local organization that facilitates the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. For years, the bureau has provided food and gifts for low-income families during the holidays, so parents have something to put under the tree for their children.
About four years ago, Burnaby Community Services also started helping seniors by providing holiday hampers.
"It was just a recognition of growing need amongst seniors who are increasingly isolated in their homes," said Stephen D'Souza, executive director of Burnaby Community Services. "We thought this would be at least one small way to connect them to the community."
Every year, Burnaby Community Services puts a call out for people to sponsor local seniors at Christmas and works with other service groups - such as Voices of Burnaby Seniors and Progressive Housing - to find seniors who may need some extra help at Christmas.
"We have access to the seniors who are the most isolated and the most alone," D'Souza said.
Once seniors sign up for the program, they identify what they need for the holidays, which often includes food and gifts. They are matched with a member of the public who agrees to buy the things on the senior's wish-list to create a gift hamper.
"It's not a one-size-hamper-fits-all situation. It's more about catering to the needs of that senior," D'Souza explained.
Gift requests can be household items, like candles, gloves or a nice blanket, D'Souza added.
"Just something they really want that would help them celebrate the holidays," he said.
Once the hampers are put together, the sponsors arrange a time to meet the seniors to deliver the goods.
D'Souza said it's sometimes difficult to find seniors who need help, as they may be isolated and wary of strangers.
"It can be a challenging population to work with as well, just in terms of finding them. Those who are isolated are not always comfortable talking to those they don't know," he said. "Some of these people were active influential people in our community who had thriving networks and friends. Slowly, almost unnoticeably, they disappear. ... They just shut themselves away."
Sometimes their partners or friends have passed away and their families live in other cities.
D'Souza recalled on scenario where the client was barely eating, and the sponsor said something needed to be done. Burnaby Community Services was able to get that seniors signed up with Meals On Wheels and connected to Fraser Health.
Stories like that are not uncommon, D'Souza said. There are also mental health issues, language barriers and addictions, he added.
"I think it's important not to forget these seniors any time, but particularly at Christmas we see an increase of depression," D'Souza said. "Christmas is a time for family, and when you are alone, it can be very hard."
Seniors who wish to sign up for the Christmas Bureau's program can do so until the end of November, either in person or at the bureau's toy room at 7252 Kingsway. Registration involves showing proof of income. A c-print from Revenue Canada is ideal, D'Souza explained, and registration just involves filling out a form.
Anyone else wanting to help a local senior can contact Burnaby Community Services by calling 604-299-5778, and they receive a sponsorship package. Sponsorship costs start around $100 for a single senior or $200 for a couple. The food and gifts must be bought by Dec. 14. For seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, sponsors can use the bureau's toy room as a meeting place.
Last year, the bureau helped 95 seniors, but this year, D'Souza doesn't yet have the final number, as more are still signing up. However, the need is growing, he added.
D'Souza encouraged people to keep an eye out for seniors during the holidays.
"If you are living in an apartment building or (a) street where seniors are living, take the time to go by and see how they are doing and wish them a merry Christmas so they know they are not alone," he said.
For more information on how to give or get help through the seniors hamper program, contact Burnaby Community Services at 604-299-5778 or visit www.burnabycommunityconnections.com.
