Nanaimo Stake

The Coldest Night of the Year (February 28, 2026)

Nanaimo, BC
The Coldest Night of the Year (February 28, 2026) is a family-friendly 2 km or 5 km winter fundraising walk supporting local charities that serve people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Each February, communities across Canada step out of their comfort to show compassion and solidarity with those facing vulnerability, with 100% of net proceeds staying local.

In Nanaimo, the walk supports the Island Crisis Care Society and begins and ends at St. Andrew’s United Church (315 Fitzwilliam Street). Participants meet at 4:00 pm, muster at 4:45 pm, and start walking at 5:00 pm, with each step helping bring hope, safety, and support to those in need.

Days for Girls

Global (with locations locally)
Days for Girls is an international volunteer organization dedicated to ensuring girls and women have access to safe, reusable menstrual products so they can attend school, work, and fully participate in daily life. The organization provides free menstrual kits designed to last 5–6 years, along with education on menstrual health and women’s rights—an element that can be life-changing in many communities. To date, millions of kits have been distributed worldwide, helping to improve health, dignity, and economic opportunity for women and girls.

Locally, the Victoria area group meets monthly and contributes both through group work sessions and at-home efforts. The team recently sent 100 kits to Honduras and supports the initiative through periodic fundraising, wholesale fabric partnerships, and donor support. The group welcomes volunteers, especially skilled sewers, and gratefully accepts donations of new, 100% cotton fabric or financial contributions. Additional groups operate on Vancouver Island (Courtenay, BC), with opportunities to expand the initiative into new communities through training and support.

Point of Contact: Liane Lyle (Duncan, BC)

Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive

BC (Province-wide)
Every year, the BC members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with local collaborating partners and friends join together in efforts to collect donations for persons in need of food around Thanksgiving time. You can contact your local unit (ward or branch) leaders for local involvement information.

In 2024, there were approximately 22,239 volunteer hours recorded throughout the province, made up from many individuals, including church congregations, over 250 grocery stores, many businesses and individuals all seeking and collecting donations throughout each of the 85 communities in BC.

Point of Contact: Jay Slobodan (Nanaimo, BC)

Food 4 School

Nanaimo, BC
Originally started by Patty Tougas and now led by Patti Spencer, this Relief Society initiative supports Nanaimo-Ladysmith SD68’s Food 4 School program by helping prepare nutritious lunches for children who arrive at school with little or no food from home. Each week, pairs of RS volunteers assemble sandwiches, wraps, fruit cups, and snacks that are delivered to elementary schools across Nanaimo–Ladysmith.

Point of Contact: Patti Spencer (Nanaimo, BC)

Pickle For Hunger

Nanaimo, BC
Pickle for Hunger is an inaugural community pickleball initiative in Nanaimo, created to support families facing food insecurity. Spearheaded by Patty Tougas and organized with the Nanaimo Pickleball Club, the first tournament was held on November 15, 2025, at the Oliver Woods Community Centre, featuring men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles in support of the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. The event’s success and community spirit were so strong (raising more than $17,000 and still growing after the tournament) that Patty has already secured the venue for next year, ensuring Pickle for Hunger becomes an annual tradition that turns a love of sport into lasting, local impact.

Point of Contact: Patty Tougas (Nanaimo, BC)

Nourish Cowichan

Cowichan, BC
Nourish Cowichan is a charitable organization devoted to nourishing and supporting youth in the Cowichan Valley School District. They “ensure that every child has the same opportunities to learn and succeed through equitable access to food.” The Executive Director & Executive Chef of Nourish Cowichan is Fatima Da Silva.

Point of Contact: Spencer Schmidt (Duncan, BC)