Image: The Cyrus Centre will be closed for upgrades starting Monday, February 24th. / Facebook / Cyrus Centre
FOOD NEEDED

Chilliwack shelter seeks food donations ahead of kitchen revamp

Feb 23, 2025 | 12:24 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Cyrus Centre on Wellington Avenue is getting a much-needed kitchen upgrade that will take approximately three weeks to complete.

The youth shelter provides 24-hour support to anyone aged 12 to 24 without a safe place to live, including meals, showers, laundry services, and more. But starting tomorrow (Feb. 24), it won’t be able to provide those meals in the same capacity.

“I think the only things we’re keeping are our fridge and our freezer,” said Angelina Fritsch, resource worker for the Cyrus Centre. “So we’ll be able to still use those.”

Anyone looking to help can donate cereal to replace hot breakfasts and frozen meals. Fully prepped, easy dinners would also be appreciated, though the Centre notes that it has no counters or dishwashing facilities.

Fritsch said staff usually serve between 15 to 18 young people a day, which would amount to more than 300 meals over the next few weeks.

“From what I’ve seen, it really ranges from five to 25 [people].”

The renovation is expected to be complete by the end of March, a day Fritsch is looking forward to.

“By the looks of it, it’s pretty old,” she added. “I’m excited to get a new kitchen.”

Anyone interested in helping or who would like more details can email the location director at trevor@cyruscentre.com or call (604) 795-5773.

The Cyrus Centre opened in downtown Chilliwack in the fall of 2014, roughly six years after its original Abbotsford location.

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