AIDS Vancouver and VPWAS are now Ribbon Community.

Programs & Services

Grocery & Food Security

Ribbon Community Grocery

Ribbon Grocery provides eligible community members free produce, protein, pantry and hygiene items. This program began in Vancouver in 1986, and now includes a biweekly program in Vancouver and a monthly program in Surrey.

Through the Grocery program, we offer practical support to address the material impacts of living with HIV and HIV stigma.

Ribbon purchases the bulk of the food items we distribute to community members. In addition, we receive a number of donated items through partnerships, including with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and one-off collaborations. We distribute items that are safe to consume based on guidelines from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Register with the Grocery program

If you are already connected to a Case Manager or Peer Navigator at Ribbon Community, you can reach out directly.

If you are not already working with a Case Manager or Peer Navigator at Ribbon Community, please reach out to learn more about registering for Grocery.

Vancouver & Surrey Grocery Program

People who can access Ribbon’s Vancouver site or the confidential pop-up site in Surrey may be eligible. Reach out to confirm eligibility.

Call

604-893-2201

Women outside the Lower Mainland

Women throughout BC may be eligible to access cultural and emergency food supports through this program. Reach out to confirm eligibility.

Call or text

236-889-4237

support the grocery program

Volunteer

From the beginning, volunteers have been an essential part of the HIV response. Today, volunteers welcome community members and support operations across Ribbon programs. Many of our volunteers also access programs and services.

current volunteer opportunities

Donate

Money and in-kind donations support and empower community members across our programs. To connect about in-kind donations, fundraisers, or donating by cash or cheque, please reach out by phone or email.

Donate online now

photos from the ribbon grocery program in vancouver

Have a photo you want included on the website? We are happy to add photos from community members at anytime throughout this program’s rich history, with appropriate consent from those pictured.

Send any pictures you would like to see included to Welcome@RibbonCommunity.org.

Be a Ribbon Insider

The Ribbon Insider is our monthly enewsletter. It highlights upcoming groups, activities, events, and other opportunities within the HIV response. 

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