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The love story of the Good Shepherd in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, where Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. In this story, the Good Shepherd goes out to find one lost sheep out of a flock of 100. When he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully brings it back to the fold and celebrates its return. The meaning of the 99 and the lost 1 in this parable has both literal and symbolic significance. Literally, the shepherd had 100 sheep and one went missing, leaving 99 behind. This illustrates the concept of individual value and care, as the shepherd did not settle for the 99 and neglect the lost one. Symbolically, the 99 can represent those who are already part of the flock, while the lost 1 represents someone who has strayed or been separated from the group. In a broader sense, the parable conveys the message of God’s unfailing love and concern for each individual. The Good Shepherd represents Jesus, who is willing to leave the safety of the 99 to search for the one that is lost. This reflects the idea of God’s relentless pursuit of those who are lost, regardless of how small or insignificant they may seem in the eyes of the world. Furthermore, the parable also highlights the value of every single person in the eyes of God. It emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and grace. The shepherd’s actions demonstrate the lengths to which God is willing to go to bring back those who have gone astray, showcasing the depth of God’s love for all people. Overall, the love story of the Good Shepherd and the meaning of the 99 and the lost 1 in the Bible convey the profound message of unconditional love, redemption, and the individual worth of each person in the eyes of God.

Caring for homeless people is important for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a matter of compassion and basic human rights. We do it for animals. Only hatred would stop us from caring for our fellow men, women and children. Everyone deserves to have access to shelter, food, and safety, regardless of their circumstances. Homeless individuals are often vulnerable and face numerous challenges, including exposure to extreme weather conditions, lack of access to healthcare, and increased risk of violence and exploitation. Secondly, addressing homelessness has broader societal benefits. Providing support and resources to homeless individuals can help reduce the strain on social services, healthcare systems, and law enforcement. It can also contribute to economic stability by helping individuals transition back into the workforce, reducing the burden on emergency services, and potentially lowering crime rates. Additionally, homelessness is often interconnected with other issues such as mental health, substance abuse, and poverty. By addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing support services, communities can work towards breaking the cycle of poverty and improving overall well-being. While it is true that some elected officials see the homeless situation as messy and chaotic, and may not prioritize addressing homelessness, public advocacy and community involvement can help raise awareness and influence policy decisions. Working towards systemic changes and advocating for the creation of warming stations and shelters can make a difference in the lives of homeless individuals and contribute to a more healthy and compassionate and equitable society. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Addendum One should be wary of the man who instructs others to fear the homeless, the poor, and the drug addicts – his message is rooted in ignorance, prejudice, and a lack of empathy. By spreading fear and suspicion towards vulnerable populations, he perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigmatizes individuals who are already marginalized. Furthermore, his rhetoric can lead to discrimination, social injustice, and the perpetuation of systemic inequalities. Rather than succumbing to this fear-mongering, it is essential to critically examine the motivations and biases of those who promote such divisive narratives and instead advocate for compassion, understanding, and meaningful solutions to address the complex issues faced by these communities. Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Historically, people with disabilities have faced significant challenges in accessing support and opportunities for participation in society. This has been a longstanding issue, rooted in systemic barriers and discrimination. In recent years, there has been some progress in addressing these issues, with advancements in legislation, policies, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that people with disabilities are housed and have equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services. Similarly, poverty and addiction are complex issues that often intersect with one another. Economic hardships can exacerbate substance abuse problems, and individuals facing poverty may struggle to access the resources and support they need to address addiction issues. Efforts to address these challenges require a comprehensive approach that encompasses social, economic, and healthcare systems. This may involve the implementation of targeted support programs, warming areas as well as extreme weather shelters.. Also an increased access to affordable healthcare and mental health services, as well as measures to alleviate poverty and provide opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. Additionally, raising awareness, challenging stigma, and fostering community engagement are crucial components of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for those facing living on the streets and economic hardship, disability, or addiction. By working collectively to promote empathy, understanding, and positive change, we can strive towards a society that better supports all its members, especially those who are most vulnerable. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Being forced out of the city where you were born and raised due to circumstances beyond your control can indeed be a traumatic and harrowing experience. It involves not only the physical displacement from familiar surroundings, but also the emotional turmoil of losing one’s sense of belonging and identity. The horrors of being pushed out of your hometown are compounded when it is due to drug addiction, which can lead to homelessness and other dire consequences. The grip of addiction can deteriorate personal relationships, lead to financial ruin, and isolate individuals from their support systems. As a result, being homeless in a city where you were once rooted can exacerbate feelings of alienation, hopelessness, and despair. Moreover, being forcibly relocated to an unfamiliar city due to no warming area or extreme weather shelter adds another layer of distress to an already tumultuous situation. The challenges of adapting to a new environment, finding shelter, employment, and accessing necessary support services can be overwhelming for someone who has been uprooted involuntarily. The loss of familiarity, community, and a sense of home can be emotionally devastating. Additionally, the lack of a social network or connections in the new city can intensify the feeling of isolation and disorientation. Without a safety net, of the warming area and extreme weather shelter individuals may struggle to navigate the complexities of a new urban landscape, worsening their vulnerability and increasing the likelihood of falling deeper into despair. The psychological toll of such experiences cannot be overstated. The trauma of being cast out from one’s hometown, grappling with addiction, homelessness, and then being relocated to a strange city because that city doesn’t want to care for all of it citizens, can lead to profound emotional suffering. It can erode one’s sense of self-worth, induce anxiety and depression, and create barriers to seeking help and rebuilding a stable life. Ultimately, the horrors of this experience underscore the need for compassionate and comprehensive support systems that address not only the immediate material needs of those affected but also their emotional well-being and sense of belonging. It highlights the importance of holistic approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as the necessity of addressing systemic issues such as addiction, poverty, and social marginalization. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

The cruelty of denying humans shelter in cold weather while providing it for dogs, cats, and wildlife highlights a significant disparity in our treatment of different species. This discrepancy raises questions about our ethical responsibilities towards fellow humans and the concept of humanity itself. By prioritizing the well-being of certain animals over that of our own species, we reveal a troubling aspect of our collective priorities and values. It prompts reflection on the interconnectedness of all living beings and challenges us to reevaluate the ways in which we define and demonstrate compassion, empathy, and justice. In this context, we are confronted with the question of what type of animals we, as humans, truly are – whether we are capable of transcending self-interest and extending care and protection to all beings, regardless of their species. The act of cruelty towards people by withholding care and not providing a warm environment is deeply detrimental to our society. By neglecting the well-being of others, we are not only setting ourselves up for disaster, but we are also perpetuating a cycle of suffering. Cruelty breeds feelings of rage, pain, and intense suffering, ultimately leading to a breakdown in human relationships and societal harmony. It is essential to recognize that compassion and empathy are crucial components of a healthy and functioning community. By prioritizing care and creating warm, supportive environments for one another, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society, thereby mitigating the detrimental effects of cruelty and nurturing positive and empathetic interactions. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Dear Community Members, Manna Homeless Society is reaching out to all of you with a heartfelt plea for assistance. We are in desperate need of non-perishable food items to distribute to those in our community who are struggling with homelessness and hunger and families at risk. The impact of your support cannot be overstated, as it truly takes a united community to provide care for one another. Your generous donations will make an immediate and tangible difference in the lives of those who are facing hardship. Together, we can ensure that nobody in our community has to go without a meal. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will help us in our mission to alleviate hunger and provide essential support to those in need and at risk… Please join us in this compassionate endeavor, as your kindness and generosity will bring hope and comfort to our community. Let’s come together and show that we are a community that cares for one another. Thank you for your consideration and for being a part of our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. Lots of Love Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

As a community leader, it’s essential to prioritize the well-being and safety of all community members, especially during extreme weather conditions. Dismissing warming centers and extreme weather shelters as “messy” or “chaotic” is not indicative of responsible leadership. Instead, responsible leadership involves acknowledging the urgent need for these facilities and taking proactive steps to ensure that they are available and accessible to those in need. Effective leaders understand the importance of providing support and resources during times of crisis, such as extreme weather events. They work to facilitate cooperation among various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members, to establish and maintain safe spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness or other vulnerabilities during severe weather. Furthermore, responsible leadership entails demonstrating empathy and advocating for the most vulnerable members of the community. This can involve allocating resources, coordinating volunteers, and working closely with relevant organizations to address the immediate needs of those impacted by extreme weather. By embracing these principles, leaders can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of the community and set a positive example for others to follow. Ultimately, responsible leadership in this context requires prioritizing human life and safety above any concerns about inconvenience or disorder. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

It has been quite a year for Manna Homeless Society being fortunate to meet the changing needs of the less fortunate of Oceanside. One of the more staggering statistics this year was going from handing out 1700 survival bags in 2012 to this year an amazing amount of over 2400 individual bags were handed out to meet the needs of the less fortunate in 2013. Each one designed to help the individual or in some cases couples or families needing our assistance. This could range from food, camping gear such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, blankets, cook stoves, flashlights, winter and summer coats, socks, gloves, hats, to personal items for ladies, men and children. By doing this it brought quality and safety into many people’s lives and had an amazing effect on the people of Oceanside. The Manna Van has become a Beacon of hope for many needy residents. As you can see from these numbers people of all ages and sex who depend on us on a weekly basis. We have been able to assist all calls during the week and weekends never leaving anyone without attention who needs our service. We have continued to build trust with many other groups and Societies as well as individuals who continue to fund us so we can meet the needs and purchases for the less fortunate. As you can see there has been an incredible increase for our service with this 40% increase this past year. We realize for us to continue we will need continued support from those who assist us, but we need to build a bigger base of people to team with us. It is great that we are 100% volunteers and that we can give out a tax receipt to those who assist us but we will need other ideas this year to keep with the increase we are expecting due to these economic times. So let’s get the word out for Manna Homeless Society this year and be open to suggestions from the general public. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered, given of their time and have financially assisted us to change lives in Oceanside. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

To the Oceanside Community Members, Since Manna Homeless Society’s beginning in 2011, we’ve been joined by tremendous individuals who are dedicated to bringing friendship, hope and essential provisions to the less fortunate members of our community here in Oceanside. The integrity, vision, commitment, and sacrifice I’ve personally witnessed volunteers bring to our team both inspire and encourage me in this endeavour of transforming lives. Your generous gifts of time, labour and finances are what makes this mission possible. Without your contributions, many people in need would face hunger, isolation, despair and poverty alone. A simply spoken “thank you” seems so paltry a return for everything you’ve done, but I’ve had the privilege of seeing your hearts, and I know gratitude is not what you’re after. Your passion is to bring back the hope and light into the eyes of real people who have real needs. With your generous support, Manna Homeless Society had the opportunity to build transformative relationships and distribute necessary resources. We gave out 3600 survival packs in 2014, an increase of 66% over 2013. Our mobile mission van has enabled us to reach people wherever they are with nutritious groceries, warm clothing, and sleeping supplies like blankets, tarps and tents. As you know, by compassionately meeting an impoverished individual’s immediate needs, we build relationships and make connections that can be life changing. In addition to our work on the street, our patience, persistence and passion have had results with other parts of our community, too! We’ve increased public awareness about the cycles of poverty that are happening in our neighbourhood and individuals and agencies have paid attention. When past mayors witnessed the deplorable conditions people in our neighbourhood live in, they were incited to take action. In fact, the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness was started four years ago after Teunis Westbroek and Ed Mayne were given a small glimpse into the living conditions of some local residents. The Sunrise Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach also recognized and supported the importance of the work we do. Through raising public attention to issues of poverty and homelessness, we’ve been able to gather and distribute much needed resources to impoverished people. Take our free bicycle initiative, for example. It’s actually difficult for most people to realize that accessible transportation is a major obstacle for people affected by poverty; however, last year, we were able to collect over 70 bicycles from various concerned members in our community who wanted to be part of the transformative work we do. Our free bicycle initiative empowered individuals affected by extreme forms of poverty, abuse and homelessness to really connect with the resources they need, apply for work, get to work, make it to important medical appointments, and begin their journey to healing. The success of this initiative, indeed, shows that when communities come together we really can make a difference. Many of you may also be aware that a few individuals have expressed concern about our approach to alleviating the heavy burden of poverty. Increasing housing costs, inability to access education, mental health, physical disability, social barriers, these are all challenges that need to be addressed. In fact, in addition to providing food, clothing, survival equipment and temporary shelter, it is our goal to connect people with the necessary resources which will help them to flourish. Our hope is to partner with organizations and individuals who will assist us in offering training, counselling, personal coaching, and life-skills guidance. By establishing trusting relationships and a safe place for people to talk and access food, clothing and temporary shelter, we are taking the first, and often times, most important step in preparing people’s hearts for more permanent solutions and change. Our vision has been, and always will be, to ultimately help people find sustainable solutions. And by meeting immediate needs, we are the gateway to that vision. On behalf of the homeless and the less fortunate, a very big thank you to the Oceanside community. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society Donations can be made by e-transfer: mannaparksville@gmail.com Or cheques can be sent to: Manna Homeless Society P.O. Box 389 Errington BC VOR 1VO

Homeless, less fortunate and the needy numbers are growing! 2015 started with many more people being directed to us for many reasons. Some we could help, others we could only encourage and give direction to where help might be available. There has been a lot of interest in the less fortunate in the Oceanside area but very little is being done to get the help they need due to the fact there is less housing than last year and more people needing help. I have been in contact with the Mental Health street worker and he advised me he is now trying to tell people to move on to another area for there is little help here, or housing at this time. I am in contact with a health nurse who is now working the streets trying to get help for the people who desperately need to see a doctor, so that one is made available. She has made herself available at the van on Saturdays and I am often in contact with her during the week . I don’t think they were aware of just how many people and families were being affected with health issues in the Oceanside area. We need to thank the doctors of Oceanside for making this health nurse available and she is truly trying to make a difference in our area. I have personally seen where she has helped a lady as well as a young girl which both needed to be hospitalized for surgery. And they got the help they needed. Manna Homeless Society is growing and changing as people are in panic mode as the system is way too slow to help them. I personally believe they have set up a system that makes it impossible for emergency care. We at Manna are willing to respond to these needs but we need to find more help. We are pleased to announce that the Women’s Catholic League has now started a sandwich and bagged lunch, which is given out once a month at the van and it has been such a great success. The free bicycle program that we offer is still very popular with people from the community continuing to make bikes available. We have always been able to get bikes out to the people who really need them. The fruit and vegetables from Costco have been a blessing as the Salvation Army faithfully picks it up in Nanaimo and they fill our vehicle every Friday for the week. Jerry Peterson has done an excellent job finding our food needs at rock bottom prices. Royce Taylor and Andrew Cotton have been so faithful working at the van on Saturdays and doing a really good job. We also have two more people that have taken on positions helping at the van. Penny Cowan who has years of experience working with the less fortunate and John Gourlay who has a big heart and is willing to help wherever needed. This time of year we are looking for tents, tarps, sleeping bags and whatever to survive outside. Cheques should be made out to Manna Homeless Society to receive a tax receipt. We want to take this time and thank all our supporters who know who they are. You have made a difference in the lives of individuals in the Oceanside community. We look forward to the challenges of this year and changing lives in the Oceanside area. We are willing to go where others won’t to reach the less fortunate and keep our community healthy. We are still finding new areas in the community where people have been overlooked and need your help. We are all volunteers at Manna Homeless Society. Please keep that in mind knowing 100% of your donation goes directly to meeting the needs of the less fortunate and homeless. Robin Campbell Manna Homeless Society

Dear Friends, We made it through another harsh winter dealing with a large number of less fortunate people needing our assistance.  Again, we would like to thank you for your support and to let you know how much we appreciate you.  We couldn’t do this important work without your backing. The homeless and the impoverished of Oceanside have seen little improvement in their situations, on the contrary, we can honestly say their standard of living has been hit even harder.  We are seeing more people becoming homeless due to a sagging economy. Many of the charitable groups working with the less fortunate are forced to give less because of increased demand and limited resources.   It has caused a rippling effect putting more pressure on Manna Homeless Society to provide shelter, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, camping gear to survive in the elements, food bags, survival clothing like toques, gloves, coats, sweaters etc. as well as personals for men and women.  Your support helped to meet this challenge. This year we celebrated the opportunity to provide a few trailers, motor homes and campers to some of our homeless individuals.  This was done mostly by matching people who want to donate the “home” directly with the client.  It is a joyous occasion when a homeless individual receives a home to call their own! We continue to have calls for bikes.  Many people have heard about our bike program which has been very successful to date.   We carefully screen our clients making sure they are given the right bike for their needs.  There has been an noticeable increase of drug and substance abuse as drugs become stronger, cheaper and more addictive.  Many of these people were not users until they were put into the position of being homeless.  We try to bring hope to them as well as help for their situation.   Sadly, mental health issues of the homeless are largely ignored.  Oceanside has limited services left in our area due to healthcare cut backs over the years.  We see very few successes as we try to connect people with the professional help they need.  The present system has made it almost impossible for our clients to receive help in this area.  As a result they rely on people like us or on other charities to assist them. Housing people in the Oceanside area is still our biggest problem due to limited vacancies and high rent.   Manna recently wrote a letter to the Mayor of Parksville,  Marc Lefebvre and after receiving the letter he asked to meet with us.  The meeting on the whole seemed to go well and he assured us he was willing to provide land or purchase land for the less fortunate.   Sarah Poole from the Oceanside Homeless Task Force is submitting a proposal in May requesting a building containing 15 rooms for the homeless, an all weather shelter and office space to meet with clients.  If the proposal is accepted it would take a few years for it to be up and running.  I recently spoke with Dwain Round from the Lions club and they are still planning to demolish the old Kingsley buildings which presently has six housing units and to rebuild a new complex with twenty nine units.  Most units would rent for $700 to $800 hundred and approximately five would be set aside for affordable housing.  The service clubs have been on board for a number of years assisting elderly, young families and the less fortunate. We can’t say enough good about the service clubs of Oceanside.  Manna is now encouraging the Churches of Oceanside to unite and to take an active role in this social issue and step up as the churches in the past have when needed. The churches in this community could take a huge bite out this problem by meeting the needs of the less fortunate, as well as continuing to assist in other areas of the world. Over the last few years the homeless have gone from being almost invisible to quite visible.  You’ll see them in front of the banks and other businesses in the  downtown core of Parksville and Qualicum.  It is has come to the point where we as a community need to show compassion and love for the less fortunate and build a safer and healthier community for all our residents. In the Christian Bible, Proverbs 19:17 states,  “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord and He will repay him for his deed”. Many Blessings to all and thanks for your support.

Dear Friends, It is with both a heavy but happy heart I give our year end report for Manna Homeless Society. What a horrendous, miserable year it has been with such a wet summer and fall to the most brutal cold and snowy winter. For our street workers it has been a nightmare dealing with the most awful situations that you could imagine in our community to bring hope to the less fortunate when dealing with such extreme weather conditions. Manna’s work load has increased but so have our volunteers. This has truly been a blessing as we could not do this work without the help of these dedicated individuals. We have a few professional people such as doctors, nurses, retired social workers and spiritual advisers assisting us at the street level now. We have caring trained people who have been assisting us in our storage buildings, picking up and purchasing items and working on the front lines. But none of this could be done without the generous financial gifts and goods given to Manna Homeless Society this year by people like yourself. We cannot thank this community enough for stepping up and meeting the needs of the everyday residents who are down on their luck, to the elderly, and the women and youth in the Oceanside area. You are such a blessing and I would like to take this time to thank you on behalf of the people on the street and the less fortunate. We take our volunteer role seriously giving 150% to distribute the goods the community has provided to the needy. Again you know who you are and so do we. So thank you again ever so much. I want you to know we are finding that our van isn’t big enough for our community service which we provide 7 days a week. We need to use our Manna van and a couple cars just for setting up with the very basics on Saturday. Manna needs a large cube van for pickups plus the additional space is needed so it can be properly stocked to assist our residents. Our society is now in the process of searching for and fundraising for a newer, good running cube van that will meet our needs. The small van will continue to be used on call outs keeping the running costs down. I am pleased to report on the number of goods we have been able to share with our community residents. In 2016 we distributed 134 tents, 199 tarps, 305 sleeping bags, 89 blankets, 5,306 survival packs, 5,260 bags of groceries, 80 bikes plus a huge number of coats, socks, gloves, hats, personals for men and women  and just about everything else you can think of to survive in this brutal environment. What a caring community Oceanside has been over this past year and especially during the Christmas season. You have assisted in building a healthier, compassionate and safer community for all people in the Oceanside area. As individuals you have done more than what our government has turned their back on. Until we have affordable housing in our area, as well as an all weather shelter we will continue to see this atrocity and failure grow in our community. It is unfortunate that the community also has naysayers, people who would be unreasonably happy if the less fortunate were rounded up and shipped off. This is not going to happen. The homeless are becoming visible which makes these people uncomfortable. Without Manna providing services to the less fortunate their plight would go unnoticed. The government has turned their backs on the homeless and now there is a natural consequence to this delinquent behaviour. Manna Homeless Society will continue the fight and be the lifeline, the 911 of the street to the less fortunate and impoverished people of Oceanside. This will bring hope to those who need it and we’ll have a safer, healthier community for all of our residents. Remember, at one time these people weren’t always hated and shunned. They were loved and the apple of some mother’s eye. If you are able to continue to support Manna especially funding for the cube van, we are most appreciative. Wishing you the best in 2017, Sincerely, Robin Campbell President