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November 23 and December 21 marked Vancouver’s monthly outreach days of caring for the homeless at Oppenheimer Park. As the weather turned colder, in addition to the usual hot-meal distribution, winter clothing was also added on these two occasions, with the hope that they would have a warm winter.
Winter Relief Event: Passing On Warmth with Helping Hands
This outreach began in the winter of early 2025, when unusually frigid weather brought severe survival challenges to Vancouver’s unhoused population. After learning of the situation, Mac Miao, the CEO of Tzu Chi Canada, decided to launch the “Winter Relief” charity initiative to provide essential supplies and warmth to those living on the streets. The event was held at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, a gathering place for unhoused individuals. Although tents had been previously dismantled due to public security concerns, a large number of homeless people still sheltered there from the cold.
The outreach is carried out by a group of compassionate people, mostly parents bringing their children, who use their Sundays to pass on warmth with their hands. This event is not only about material assistance; it is a spiritual exchange that spans across generations.
In November, 35 volunteers of all ages came together, serving about 406 people. In December, 15 volunteers of all ages served about 305 people.
Braving the Elements Together to Extend Love
Once winter arrives in Vancouver, it is rare to see three consecutive sunny days. However, the participating volunteers, young and old, braved the wind and rain. On each distribution day, they gathered at the Tzu Chi Canada office early in the morning. Following the plans laid out by volunteers Ya-Ting Xu and Lang-Qing Peng, they energetically began their preparatory work.
To help people fend off the near-zero temperatures after nightfall, the volunteers combined hot meals with winter relief items over these two months. Not only did they make sandwiches and hot drinks like hot cocoa, but they also added a layer of warm care. This included 87 second-hand coats donated by generous individuals, as well as 400 pairs of brand-new wool socks, 192 scarves, and 200 pairs of gloves purchased through fundraising, along with 200 sets of toothpaste and toothbrushes donated by supporters.
On each distribution day, the volunteers split into hot meals and winter clothing teams. The hot-meal team systematically prepared bread, potatoes, eggs, and salad. In just over two hours, these ingredients were transformed into 300 to 400 tasty sandwiches. Meanwhile, the winter-clothing team sorted and folded the donated winter clothes by gender and size, and packed and portioned them together with new socks, scarves, and toothpaste-and-toothbrush sets.
After preparations were complete, the coordinator gathered everyone for warm reminders before departure. Volunteers chanted slogans together to cheer each other on. After greetings, they set out with hearts full of love.
Building a Safe Haven and Soothing Souls with Jing Si Aphorisms
The distribution took place at the outdoor basketball court of Oppenheimer Park, where the cold wind was biting, and fallen leaves covered the ground. Thoughtfully, volunteers set up tents and surrounded them with tarps to block the chilly wind, creating a warm haven for people living on the streets. Many, upon seeing the familiar Tzu Chi vests, smiled with relief.
In addition to receiving winter supplies and hot food, the scene was filled with heartfelt exchanges. Volunteers held up banners with Jing Si Aphorisms to share, drawing calls of “YES” from the homeless. Volunteers also invited them to draw “Jing Si Aphorism cards.” Many were deeply touched when reading phrases like, “True compassion is taking good care of one’s own heart,” and “Our greatest enemy may not be others, but ourselves,” carefully tucking the cards into their pockets.
A sign-language song, “One Family,” led by volunteers You-Xin Zhu, Jia-Ci Xu, and Qiu-Zhu Chang, bridged the gaps of language, race, and religion. People living on the streets were so moved that they shouted, “So beautiful” and “Amen” in constant praise. In that moment, there was no distinction between the giver and the receiver—only hearts merging as one.
With supplies ready, people entered the tents in an orderly manner to receive their items. In the sections for winter coats, gloves, and scarves, volunteers warmly greeted them and helped them try things on. With each person receiving a warm coat, a scarf, a pair of socks, a set of toothpaste and toothbrush, and finally a sandwich and a hot drink, the homeless individuals expressed their gratitude and left satisfied.
Intergenerational Continuity: Witnessing Seeds of Goodness
One of the most touching scenes at the event was seeing how many families turning out in full force. Volunteer Amy shared that she was first introduced to Tzu Chi by a friend, and now, whenever time allows, her whole family participates actively. This time, even her son invited his classmates to join. Amy said, “My everyday life is usually very comfortable, which is very different from the lives of the homeless people we meet during distributions. Being able to serve those in need is a wonderful thing.”
Volunteer Hui-Xin Yan, who brought her daughter to participate in the December distribution, both felt it was deeply meaningful to help people living on the streets who are suffering, and they hoped to come again next time.
Randall, a 62-year-old poet living on the streets, said: “I see Hope, I see Blessing, I see God’s love.” Randall has recently been waiting for heart and knee surgeries. Even though he still lacks stable housing, he said he saw seeds of goodness in the volunteers. He received not only a warm meal and winter supplies, but also profound inspiration.
These two distributions not only warmed the bodies and hearts of over 700 people living on the streets, but also allowed the power of love to continue spreading—long and enduring—through Vancouver’s cold winds.