For the past four years, the Vancouver Police Department’s Finance Section has dedicated themselves to giving back to vulnerable seniors across Vancouver. Led by VPD Accountant Davina Chung and Financial Analyst Tina Huang, their Seniors Hampers initiative has provided more than 300 hampers since 2021 to Vancouver seniors who need them most. With annual funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation, Seniors Hampers continues to foster social connections and provide day-to-day essentials for seniors who live independently without support from their families.
Just last week, Tina, Davina and the Financial Services team personally delivered another 26 curated packages to seniors at three different locations in Vancouver.
“Seniors who live independently are often forgotten and have access to very few resources,” explains Davina. “Many are also challenged to navigate and access technology and financial assistance. Through this initiative, we want to let these independent living seniors know that they are cared for and not forgotten. With that, we hope it will improve their physical and mental wellness.”
To ensure the packages are going to those who need them most, each hamper delivery is in partnership with local social agencies that support low/no income seniors, such as BC Housing, SUCCESS, Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, and Tikva Housing Society. Each individual circumstance has varying needs that the VPD Financial Services team do their best to address. For example, some seniors need staple groceries while others may require socks, toiletries or cleaning supplies. The overall purpose is to ensure that individual needs are being met.
VPD’s Financial Services Section initially came up with the idea to support vulnerable seniors during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“COVID had a profound impact on our team, mentally and socially,” says Davina. “That made us stop to think how much more difficult it would be for seniors that live independently with limited access to support and resources. We knew we wanted to make a difference for this community.”
In 2021, during their first year, VPD’s Finance Section donated more than 100 hampers, with staff volunteering hundreds of hours to make it a success. Partnerships with London Drugs, Loblaws and the Tong & Geraldine Louie Foundation also enabled them to stretch their buying power, resulting in more hampers for seniors than they originally thought possible.
Even though the height of COVID 19 is largely behind us, vulnerable families and individuals are still experiencing the difficult aftermath of the pandemic. Last week when the hampers were distributed, one of the recipients shared with Davina that they have largely been living in isolation for the last four years.
“She was just so grateful, not only for the hamper and the goods inside, but also for the social interaction with myself and my colleagues,” says Davina. “At one point she turned to me and said ‘It is so nice that we get to meet you and talk to all of you. These days we don’t get much human contact, we’ve been pretty secluded for the past few years.’”
“It is such an enriching experience to connect with seniors, talk to them, and hear their stories. I believe by connecting with seniors, we promote a positive well being for not only them, but for ourselves as well.”
Looking ahead, the Financial Services Section have no plans to slow down. Their goal continues to be to support and reach out to as many vulnerable Vancouver seniors as possible.
CLICK HERE if you would like to donate to support the Seniors Hampers initiative, and/or any other similar VPF-funded program.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
