Potter’s Place Mission has offered a sanctuary to hundreds of residents of Vancouver’s downtown eastside since it opened its doors in the late 90s. Today, it offers nourishment, both physical and spiritual, to the community it serves, in part thanks to donations it receives from a local IGA of BC store.

Every week, the mission picks up a range of quality food donations from IGA’s West 4th store in Kitsilano. These donations consist of products the store is no longer able to sell because they are either close to their peak freshness date, or have aesthetic imperfections. Each day, the church’s volunteers showcase their creativity in the kitchen by turning IGA’s donations into a wide variety of warm and nutritious meals to serve to its guests, many of whom are facing homelessness, and dealing with mental illness and addiction. 

Ervin Macario, Associate Pastor, recalls one of the church’s regular visitors, who has been coming morning and night for as long as he can remember. “He suffers from mental illness. There are days when I don’t see him, and that is usually when he has gotten caught up with the police. But he always comes back. He always knows we’re here to sit with him, to listen to him, to care for him. He is truly a joy to have around and it means so much to be able to offer this kind of solace to someone who truly needs it.” This is one of many examples of the clients who benefit from the mission’s work.

Ervin expresses deep gratitude for the support received from IGA West 4th. He emphasizes the collective effort of working together, acknowledging that the meaningful impact on those in need wouldn’t be possible without this collaboration.

Written by Megan Czerpak, Head of Communications