Community Ministries

Office reception area at Nanaimo Community Church, with a service desk, seating area, and a decorated Christmas tree.

Community Ministries

Hours of Operation, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Community Ministries Office, 505 – Eighth St, Nanaimo

Call (250) 753-8834 for more information.

Voucher Program

For those in emergency need of clothing and small household items please come in to our office and speak to Marie, Yvonne or Thomas.

Free Income Tax Clinic

Our free tax clinic will be available to process tax returns by appointment only.

No Self-employment. Low Income only (Under $35,000 for an individual). Multiple years.

Please call Marie for more information, (250) 753-8834 ext. 409.

Emergency Pet Food

Monday - Thursday, 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Emergency access to free dog and cat food at our Community Ministries Office. Pet food is donated by generous local donors, including the Nanaimo SPCA and Bosleys.

Shelving stocked with donated dog and cat food at the Salvation Army Nanaimo Community Church office.

Loaves and Fishes Free Food Market

Fridays 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Please bring your photo ID and a bag to take your items home in.

Church gym set up for a children’s playgroup with play mats, toys, and soft play equipment.

Busy Bees Playgroup

Wednesdays 9:30am to 11:30am in our church gym.

Parents/Caregivers and their infants to 4 year olds welcome to come and play; adults can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while playing with your children at various play centres, trying a craft an at times enjoying some big movement fun!

Pathway of Hope

Let’s start the journey together! Reach out today to discover how Pathway of Hope can support you and your family every step of the way.

Pathway of Hope will help you build greater stability and hope for the future, skills and confidence to achieve your goals, stronger connections with your community and a foundation for lasting success.

Support Groups

  • Various Art Therapy Groups – contact Hannah to register and for more information at hannah.thomson@salvationarmy.ca
  • Pathway of Hope
  • Grief Share  
  • Muay Thai with PJ
  • SITKA Recovery
  • Food Share - Good Food Box
Close-up of several people standing together with their hands stacked in the center, symbolizing support, connection, and community.
Children canoeing on a lake during a summer camp experience, with mountains in the background.

Camp Sunrise

We help send children and youth from our community to Holiday Camp and Teen Camp each summer at Camp Sunrise  on the Sunshine Coast! Registration is now open. Subsidy is available. To register for Holiday and Teen camp please reach out to Carolyn at the church. Check out the BC Youth website for more information about all our camps!

Kids in the Kitchen

Afterschool program on Wednesdays for kids ages 7 to 12 Kitchen safety, baking and cooking skills.

Discuss healthy options and a field trip to the grocery store to learn about the prices of food, weighing produce, buying fresh, frozen, canned and items on sale!

Next 6 week group begins in the spring, for more information contact Carolyn, call (250) 619-5950 or email at carolyn.jones@salvationarmy.ca

Children and adults preparing food together in a kitchen as part of a kids’ cooking program.

Creative Kids

Afterschool program for kids ages 5 to 12 who enjoy making crafts. We are working on a new idea and will update information soon!

For more information and to register contact Carolyn at carolyn.jones@salvationarmy.ca or text/call at (250) 619-5950.