FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
– Saturday, April 19, 2025 –
UGM’s 35th Easter Meal Offers Vital Hope Amid Ongoing Toxic Drug and Homelessness Crisis
(Vancouver, B.C) – As British Columbians continue to grapple with a toxic drug crisis and rising homelessness, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is preparing to serve over 2,000 Easter Meals to some of the most vulnerable people in Metro Vancouver – offering a moment of safety, dignity, and connection in a time of deep crisis.
“This isn’t just a meal – it’s a lifeline,” says Nick Wells, spokesperson for UGM. “For many, it’s the first safe space they’ve been in, in days or even weeks. We are hopeful that this meal can be the beginning of a meaningful relationship with our outreach team.”
UGM’s Easter Meal comes on the heels of the ninth anniversary of BC’s Opioid Overdose crisis being classified as an epidemic - with over 16,000 lives lost since 2016. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside remains at the epicenter of this crisis, where overdose deaths in 2024 were three times higher than the next highest local health authority. At the same time, Metro Vancouver’s homeless population continues to grow, and thousands of individuals risk falling through the cracks caused by an affordability crisis.
“People are dying, they are unsheltered, isolated, and at times in deep despair,” adds Wells. “In the midst of overlapping emergencies, a meal like this can remind our precious community just how loved and valued they are. Hope and healing is possible.”
UGM serves around 750 meals every day in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. But Easter stands out: it’s a time to reflect, to reach out, and to remind the community that hope can rise even in the darkest places.
“We know this meal isn’t a magic solution to solve everyone’s needs,” shares Wells. “But during times of instability these welcoming spaces are crucial for communities.”
Media is invited to attend, speak with UGM representatives and hear directly from those with lived experience, details are below.
MEDIA EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Time: Media wishing to attend are asked to arrive no later than 11 a.m.
Where: 601 East Hastings, Vancouver, B.C.
RSVP: Please send details to nwells@ugm.ca
THE MEAL
- Ham - 1,850 pounds
- Apple pies – 500
- Scallop potatoes – 750 pounds
- Mixed vegetables – 750 pounds
- 270 litres of pineapple sauce
RSVP PROTOCOL
- Please RSVP to Nick Wells, nwells@ugm.ca, before arriving.
- Upon arrival at UGM, one of the communications team will direct you to sign in
- Community members will be available for interviews with interested media
- A UGM spokesperson will be available for interviews as well.
CONTACT
Nick Wells
Media Relations Specialist
Cell: (604) 996-1417
nwells@ugm.ca
ABOUT UNION GOSPEL MISSION
Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing the lives of men, women, youth, and children for more than 80 years. Through its eight locations in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM provides emergency shelter, meals, outreach, career development counselling, education, safe and affordable housing, addiction recovery, and much more to those struggling with poverty, homelessness and addiction. The heart of UGM is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of those who are vulnerable, and come alongside people who feel cast aside. To learn more, visit www.ugm.ca.
