Our News and Stories
MPNH Senior Donna Takes Part in the Community Asian Culinary Arts Training
Donna Cho has volunteered as a community cook across Metro Vancouver for over 40 years, serving neighbourhood houses, community centres, and faith groups with skills learned in restaurants and from her mother. Recently, through a United Way BC grant, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House partnered with Vancouver Community College to deliver a four-part Cantonese culinary training for community cooks. Led by chef Sonny Ho, the program inspired Donna to pursue her long-time dream of culinary certification.
The Magic of Food and Community (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
This year brought significant change to the food programs team at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Our long-time chef took on a new opportunity within MPNH, and while their departure was bittersweet within the food programs department, it opened the door for two incredible chefs to join our team, Suzie and Macey, their passion and creativity helped strengthen and expand our food programming. Together, they have introduced new menus that celebrate diverse cultures and seasonal ingredients. Their collaborative spirit has also deepened community connections, making every meal an opportunity to bring people together.
Cook, Connect, and Celebrate with Your Community at FoodFit! Program
Cooking Is More Fun When Shared with Your Community! Our older adults (55+) and seniors are having a fantastic time at our FoodFit! program, cooking, learning, and staying active together!
Multicultural Cooking Club: Celebrating Mexican Culture
There were more than 60 participants who enjoyed sharing chicken tinga, agua de jamaica (iced hibiscus tea), and rice pudding at the Multicultural Cooking Club Mexican Culture Celebration.
Food Hamper Delivery For Seniors
We connected with 109 seniors in Mount Pleasant to share hampers filled with fresh produce. We loved hearing how people will prepare and enjoy the fruit and veggies. Kale chips and strawberry shortcake are on the horizon!
There’s an app for that: Vancouver program brings groceries to seniors’ doorstep
In rainy Vancouver, venturing outside for groceries is often a daunting task, especially for people without access to a car, such as many seniors. An app developed by nurse Ian Li is helping seniors order groceries for free delivery by connecting them with local volunteers.
Walk, Shop & Chop for older folks and seniors
Walk, Shop & Chop is a lasting trend for seniors’ wellness in our neighbourhood!
Feeding a community: Insights into Mount Pleasant’s food programs
For Aya, MPNH was “el punto de partide (a point of departure) to try new things, to be more comfortable with people. It took me out of my depression, the loneliness I felt,” she explains. “Now I feel useful, I feel happy and I feel more connected.”
This sense of connection is especially helpful for newcomers struggling to meet new people while mastering a second language. Of people surveyed in this report, nearlly 78% state that the food programs have helped them improve their English language skills, crediting the “practical, hands-on training” they receive from instructors and peer-leaders in the program.