At the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation, we are proud to administer the Oceanside Community Prosperity Fund, which provides resources to local organizations serving our neighbours. One of the 2025 recipients, St. Stephen’s Community Meals, is making an incredible impact in Qualicum Beach and beyond.
More Than a Meal
St. Stephen’s Community Meals fills the gap when the local soup kitchen is closed by offering a hot, nutritious lunch every Thursday. But their work goes far beyond a meal. Guests are welcomed into a warm, safe space where they can sit down, share food, and find companionship. Many also leave with bread, baked items, seasonal produce, or essentials from an onsite “boutique” offering hampers, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Once a month, guests enjoy a full hot dinner, often described as the highlight of their month.
Real Stories of Impact
The rising cost of food has made this program even more vital. One guest explained how much it meant to take home a loaf of bread and a small package of scones to help her through the week, even as she humbly noted that “there are many worse off than me.” For others, the meals provide a sense of belonging. Each Thursday, upwards of 100 local high school students join the lunch, bringing youthful energy into the space. As one international student from Brazil shared, “I love coming here. I am so far away from my family, it just feels like a big hug.”
The reach extends even further. Outreach workers bring 70 packed lunches to local encampments, ensuring not only access to food but also a connection to qualified professionals who can provide support.
Powered by Volunteers and Local Giving
St. Stephen’s is run entirely by volunteers, supported by local bakeries, the food bank, and Loaves and Fishes. Yet the cost of purchasing fresh produce and meat remains a challenge. The Oceanside Prosperity Fund has played a key role in keeping this vital program going, ensuring our community continues to have a place of nourishment, dignity, and connection.
At PQCF, we are proud to support St. Stephen’s Community Meals. This is what local giving makes possible.
Support the community fund to make more stories like this possible.