Category: Crisis
-
The TRUTH about PAN
Written by PAN Founder Sarah Pump 🟡The entire PAN team is 100% volunteer. 🟡PAN is run on a shoestring with NO consistent funding. 🟡PAN doesn’t have an office. 🟡PAN doesn’t have a phone number. It’s been a rough few days. We are frequently contacted by people in crisis, but demand…
-
News that surprised exactly ZERO frontline workers
By Sarah Pump, PAN Executive Director “Despite increased demand, access to basic needs services in Nanaimo has declined over the past decade,” says a report from staff at the City of Nanaimo. On May 12th, 2025, City of Nanaimo staff presented a report to the Governance and Priorities Committee about…
-
I’m a Frontline Worker. Your Disrespect Is Loud and Clear.
Guest post from Marnie Boers. I am a registered emergency nurse with over 17 years of experience. I have spent years working on the frontlines of the toxic drug crisis here in Nanaimo. I have also volunteered and worked with Risebridge, a reasonably new non-profit that supports our city’s most…
-
Low-income folks can be more negatively impacted by natural disasters
Natural disasters and emergencies can impact low-income people more adversely because we don’t always have the financial capacity to prepare. Nanaimo had a lengthy power outage in many areas during Fall 2024, and many people were left in the dark and cold, with little supplies or support. Here is a…
-
PAN Stands with Dr. Jess Wilder
By Sarah Pump, PAN Founder and Executive Director On January 22, Dr. Jess Wilder was placed on administrative leave from her physician lead positions in harm reduction and education, and addiction medicine at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. This leave was a punitive response to Dr. Wilder’s advocacy on behalf of…
-
Funeral Resources for low-income people
Anyone in need is eligible for BC government support. They do not need to be on Income Assistance or Provincial Disability to receive this support. Also, if the decedent contributed to CPP for at least 10 years, their estate is eligible for the CPP death benefit of $2500. This is…
-
Why book a Food Bank Appointment?
By Sarah Pump, Executive Director The first resource that I recommend to every struggling low-income client is Nanaimo’s Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank. Sometimes, these clients have objections to using the Food Bank. They are not physically able to stand in a line. They become anxious from the noise.…
-
Pets & BC Housing
By Sarah Pump, Executive Director Recently, PAN has been contacted for support by several families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. Some of these families have been on the wait list for subsidized housing through BC Housing for a long time and don’t understand why they haven’t received a placement. There…
-
Lack of Funded Warming Spaces in Nanaimo is an Emergency
Yesterday, PAN was copied on an email written by a doctor on the front lines of our homelessness crisis in Nanaimo. She addressed any and all people in positions of authority in Nanaimo, pleading for warming centre support for our unhoused neighbours. Instead of sharing an excerpt, we decided to…
-
Homelessness Rates in Nanaimo and Beyond
By Cody Wolfe, PAN Contributor According to censuses made between 2019 and 2022, the homeless population in Nanaimo grew from 893 to 1206 respectively: a 35% increase, whereas the total population increased by about 10% in roughly that same span of time, growing from an estimated 90,504 to 99,863. However…
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 