12-year-old partners with over 30 organizations to deliver ZACPACs to each of Vancouver's 2,200 homeless
VANCOUVER, March 6, 2020 /CNW/ - In a first-of-its-kind initiative, every person experiencing homelessness in Vancouver will be offered a "ZACPAC", spearheaded by 12-year-old homeless advocate Zac Weinberg. That's 2,200 dry bags filled with essential items that will be distributed through 30 agencies across Vancouver.
Saturday, March 7, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Coast Mental Health Resource Centre
1225 Seymour Street, Vancouver
On Saturday, March 7, 12-year old Zac Weinberg will officially launch, together with Coast Mental Health and more than 30 partner organizations, the distribution of over 2,200 ZACPACs, a dry bag filled with essential items for those living on the street. Each 20-litre ZACPAC includes a toque, scarf, socks, gloves, emergency blanket, rain poncho, collapsible umbrella, 500 ml reusable water bottle, granola bar, 6x8 tarp, bus ticket and some toiletries.
In addition to remarks from Zac Weinberg, other speakers include Coast Mental Health's CEO, Darrell Burnham and Vancouver-Hastings MLA, the Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Vancouver City Counsellor, Lisa Dominato, will also be in attendance.
Zac, a grade six student at Collingwood School, spoke at WE Day Vancouver on November 19, 2019 about his project to supply essential items to Vancouver's homeless. Since then, he's been fundraising and contacting various companies and organizations for donations of both goods and services. After exceeding a fundraising target of $100,000, Zac and his team of volunteers are ready to get the ZACPACs into the hands of those that need them the most.
Join us as we make the first deliveries of the ZACPAC to Vancouver's homeless.
- ZACPAC Distribution Launch Event Timing (Saturday, March 7)
- 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- 12.30 pm: Pre-event interview/filming opportunities with key spokespersons
- 1:00 pm: Welcome and Brief Remarks
- Zac Weinberg, 12-year-old homeless advocate
- Darrell Burnham, Chief Executive Officer, Coast Mental Health
- The Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
- 1:30 pm: Distribution of ZACPACs begins outside the Resource Centre. A Food Truck will also be located outside offering free meals for the homeless.
- Visuals will include:
- Remarks from speakers
- A mountain of ZACPACs ready for distribution
- Distribution of the dry bags
- Alternative filming/interview opportunity
Friday, March 6, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Volunteers working with Zac Weinberg, packing and preparing the ZACPACs for distribution.
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, Kitsilano Ballroom D
39 Smithe Street, Vancouver
ABOUT THE ZACPAC PROJECT
An active member of the WE Organization's Youth Advisory Committee, Zac Weinberg participated in the WE Walk for Water and visited WE Villages and schools in India. From these experiences of helping those in need internationally, the 12-year-old realized that there's great need at the local level as well. Zac worked with Coast Mental Health outreach staff to identify a list of items that those living on the street might need while waiting for low-cost housing. They include personal items such as thermal socks and toothbrushes along with practical items such as reusable metal water bottles and emergency blankets. These items and more will be included in the ZACPAC. Learn more about the ZACPAC project at www.zacgivesback.com or on Facebook or on Instagram.
About Coast Mental Health
Since 1972, Coast Mental Health, a not-for-profit organization, has been helping British Columbians with mental illness find courage to recover. Coast creates a framework for community-based mental health care by providing the three essential pillars of sustained recovery: Housing, Support Services, and Employment & Education. At least 44% of those who are homeless said they have a mental health issue, and Coast works to provide housing as well as additional services and supports such as those offered at the Resource Centre.
SOURCE Weinberg Foundation Inc.
For further information: Martin Weinberg, for Zac Weinberg, c/o Weinberg Foundation, Tel: 204-955-0333, Email: [email protected]
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