Cliffe receives SPARC BC award for community service leadership

SPARC BC presented Cory Cliffe with the Deryck Thomson Award on Feb. 23, 2026 in Campbell River; Cliffe and partner Vanessa Sharkey have been providing meals to unhoused and food-insecure residents after local service closures in August 2025.

Cory Cliffe was honoured by the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. with the Deryck Thomson Award at a Feb. 23, 2026 event at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River. About 60 people attended the recognition dinner, which was provided by SPARC BC and catered by The Fork & Arrow. The award acknowledges leadership in community service, social development and advancing equity and inclusion across B.C. Cliffe was recognized specifically for grassroots efforts in Campbell River, including a meal program started after several local services closed in August 2025. Key details: - The award presented was the Deryck Thomson Award and the event took place on Feb. 23, 2026 at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River. - Approximately 60 people attended and the presentation was made by Wes Hewitt, SPARC BC Board President. - Cliffe and his partner, Vanessa Sharkey, began preparing meals from their home kitchen with no initial funding and now serve food outdoors nearly every day to unhoused and food-insecure community members. - The dinner was provided by SPARC BC and catered by The Fork & Arrow; volunteer 'Granny' Gwen Olney contributed homemade desserts. - Cliffe is a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation and serves as President of the 7 Generations Stewards Society, a First Nations non-profit offering cultural programming, employment training and wellness supports. - He is also working toward establishing a culturally informed addictions treatment centre on North Vancouver Island. Summary: The award highlights Cliffe's grassroots outreach efforts, notably the meal program established after local service closures in August 2025. He continues to pursue community projects, including plans for a culturally informed addictions treatment centre on North Vancouver Island.