A Place to Belong:
National Bank partners with The Kettle
The Kettle’s Mental Health Drop-In Centre has been the “heart” of The Kettle since it opened at 1725 Venables in 1997. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to responding to the evolving needs of our members remains as strong as ever.
Open 365 days a year, The Drop-In is a welcoming, low-barrier hub in the Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood. We connect community members with mental health and housing support and help them navigate healthcare, employment barriers, legal concerns, and urgent basic needs. We meet people where they are and connect them with a supportive community where they can belong, grow, and thrive.
In 2026, National Bank and The Kettle Society launched a partnership through National Bank’s generous support of our Drop-In. Grounded in a shared belief that everyone deserves support, connection, and a place to belong, this funding will help keep essential day-to-day services running, including meal programs, social and creative activities, access to basic necessities and the many connected supports available at The Drop-In.
“I thought The Kettle was a shelter, but it turned out to be something more...a place for friendship. Since that first day, I kept coming back.”
- Kettle Member
Our members face many connected challenges, including prolonged poverty, systemic discrimination, and concurrent mental and physical health conditions such as psychosis, neurological disabilities, active substance use, and homelessness. At a time when mental health and homelessness are still heavily stigmatized, The Drop-In offers a safe place where people can find immediate stability and ongoing support as they move toward recovery.
A Continuum of Care
The Drop-In uses a membership model, welcoming people into a supportive community where they can build meaningful connections and get the help they need. Members can access hot meals, showers, fresh clothing, and other necessities, the kinds of things many of us take for granted but that become lifelines when someone is struggling on the streets. But meeting an immediate need is only part of the response. Mental health care, legal advocacy, access to a nurse, and an ID Bank help members navigate the broader challenges of homelessness. Bringing all of these supports together is what sets The Drop-In apart.
For many people, The Drop-In is their first connection to The Kettle and a bridge to other programs as their needs change. Someone who initially visits for a meal or housing help may later take part in the Recovery Café, explore employment opportunities, or move into supportive housing. In this way, The Kettle provides both immediate help during a crisis and ongoing support as members work toward stability and well-being.
During the 2025-2026 year, The Drop-In welcomed 38,798 visits from members coming in for a hot meal, essential services, or one of the social programs offered each day. In that same period, there were 3,155 showers taken, 2,214 loads of laundry completed, and 23,555 meals served. These numbers, however, show only part of The Drop-In’s impact. What they don't capture is the many moments of friendship, community, and connection that happen when people have a safe place to find support and belonging.
How Community Makes it Possible
The work happening at The Drop-In wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors and partners. Every day, we can open our doors and welcome members into a community of care because organizations like National Bank have stepped up to support this essential work. This gives members a familiar place to return to, and trusted relationships they can build on.
National Bank is committed to building long-term relationships with organizations that address the root causes of poverty and create opportunities for greater social and economic inclusion. They believe strong communities are built when people have the support, connections, and opportunities they need to flourish.
“At National Bank, we believe thriving communities depend on ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Our partnership with The Kettle Society reflects our commitment to supporting organizations that are creating meaningful pathways to stability, inclusion, and well-being for people facing complex challenges. Together, we are helping build stronger, more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive.”
- Aman Sandhu, Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking, British Columbia
With National Bank's support, we are helping ensure that when someone reaches out, they find more than immediate support - they join a welcoming community where they matter and belong.