Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
In Cumberland, Weird Church, officially known as the United Church of Canada - Pacific Mountain Region, has been a gathering place built on a foundation of love, justice and community service since its inception in 2018. So, when an opportunity arose to improve food security, accessibility and arts programming, Rev. Ingrid Brown knew it was a perfect fit.
“We’re all about being accessible and creating a place of belonging where everyone is welcome,” Brown says. “These upgrades will impact so many partners and groups in Cumberland, especially in supporting arts programming, food security and accessibility for all.”
Three major projects are now underway thanks to recent funding: much-needed upgrades to the 24-hour food shed and shelving, renovations to the accessible ramp and permanent black stage curtains.
Support for the food shed
First up is the church’s food shed, where aging, wobbly shelves are being replaced after five years of constant use.
The food shed began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures left many families without access to breakfast and lunch programs. Working with the Cumberland Community Schools Society and the Village of Cumberland through the Cumberland Food Share program, Brown and volunteers decided to set up outdoor shelves stocked with essential staples.
“We wanted to make sure there was food available for anyone who needed it,” Brown says. “It’s about neighbours helping neighbours in the best possible way.”
Today, with the support of the Cumberland Legion, Cumberland Rotary and the Comox Valley Food Bank, the program has expanded significantly. The 24-hour food shed has seen usage rise by more than 300 per cent since its early days, with hundreds of pounds of food moving through it every month.
“People come by all the time – kids filling their backpacks after school, people stopping by at two or three in the morning,” Brown says. “I don’t even know exactly how much food goes through anymore – it happens all the time.”
Improved accessibility ramp
Weird Church is also overhauling its 35-year-old side access ramp, which had settled unevenly over time. Some boards were also unsafe due to water damage.
The improved ramp will provide safer, easier access for people using wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids. The improvements mean Weird Church becomes more available to all participants and provides another accessible location in Cumberland for community events.
Supporting local artists
Inside, Weird Church is adding permanent black stage curtains, made by a Cumberland resident, with fabric kept out of the landfill with the closing of a major Vancouver fabric store. The curtains will improve lighting and sound for local theatre groups and musicians, eliminating the need to rent equipment and allowing more of the group’s limited budgets to go directly toward performances.
The changes – though small – help them remove barriers, support neighbours and open the door to belonging for anyone who walks through their doors.
For more information, visit Weird Church online at .