Everybody Deserves A Smile (EDAS) is a homegrown, grassroots community project that started 21 years ago to bring a smile to the faces of under housed, vulnerable and  people living with dependencies in our communities during the winter holidays.

Powell River United Church and Powell River School District have been working together to support the EDAS qathet program through six successful years in the region with a growing number of local support agencies participating and Kindness Bag requests increasing from 100 in 2019 to 542 in 2024. 

We work with students from kindergarten to grade 12 to make home made, hand painted care packages filled with hand made cards, home made cookies, warm socks, toques, mitts, scarves and toiletries – all donated by our phenomenal community. 

Last year, 500 Kindness Care Bags were distributed across Powell River, qathet Region, and the Tla’amin Nation through 10 local support agencies.

Students from kindergarten to grade 12 drive this project, creating hand-painted care packages filled with:

• Handmade cards

• Homemade cookies

• Warm socks, toques, mittens, scarves

• Toiletries

All items are generously donated by the community.

You can support EDAS qathet by:

• Donating warm winter items, toiletries, or cash.

• Attending cookie-decorating events.

• Helping students assemble Kindness Bags.

Contact:

Community Lead: Doe Fraser

Email: qathet@edas.ca

For over 25 years, Powell River United Church has been providing hot community pasta meals. While the format has evolved, the commitment to serving fresh, homemade-style pasta dinners remains the same.

From September to May, on the third Monday of each month, you’re invited to enjoy a hot meal by donation. This event is open to everyone and is a great opportunity to connect with the community.

Support the Pasta Dinner by volunteering:

• Shift 1: 9:30–11:30 (chopping and meal prep)

• Shift 2: 4:00–6:30 (serving, kitchen duties, and cleanup)

Contact:

Community Lead: Doe Fraser
Email: UnitedChurchpr@gmail.com
Subject Line: Attention Pasta Dinner

Circles of Friends is a community outreach initiative under Powell River United Church, dedicated to supporting individuals and ongoing events in the local area. This group welcomes all, regardless of faith or beliefs, to collaborate and create meaningful impact together.

Anyone interested in local outreach is welcome to join. The group fosters inclusivity and connection, offering a space for diverse individuals to come together for a common purpose.

If you're interested in joining or learning more about Circles of Friends, get in touch.

Contact:

Community Lead: Doe Fraser
Email: UnitedChurchpr@gmail.com
Subject Line: Attention Circle of Friends