VANCOUVER- BC Technologies Social Ventures Partners (BCT SVP) (www.bctsvp.com) has chosen Quest Outreach Society (www.questoutreach.org) to receive volunteer support and financial assistance to expand and increase its capacity to feed more hungry people. Quest is a "donated food broker," facilitating the transfer of donations from over 110 suppliers to 80 social service programs throughout the Lower Mainland. A charitable foundation made up of individuals in BC's technology industry, BCT SVP will support Quest's capacity expansion with executive, managerial and operational consulting and a $35,000 "social investment" towards a computerized Warehouse Management System to modernize Quest's warehouse logistical systems. The initial investment and assistance is the first of a planned three-year involvement by BCT SVP to help Quest increase capacity to serve its client base.

Over 16,000 people in 10,000 households in Vancouver's Eastside live on an annual median income of less than $11,000/year. People living with such very limited means are at an increased health risk from food insecurity (lack of access and availability of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods). This problem leads to increased levels communicable disease, drug use, crime and other social ills. Improving the community's food security is integral to revitalizing neighborhoods, improving health standards and helping people improve their lives in general.

About Quest Outreach Society

Quest has been in operation since 1990. Its mandate is to rescue food from ending up in landfills and redistribute it to the needy. Currently, Quest is recovering approx. $500,000 of food per month and providing food assistance to over 30,000 people per month through partner social service agencies. Quest acts as a "donated food broker," facilitating the transfer of donations from over 110 suppliers to 80 social service agencies. While Quest's primary focus is on Vancouver and Vancouver''s Downtown Eastside (DTES) (approx 80% of our activity), our services extend into other lower mainland communities such as Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Quest's four main service areas are:

1) To provide 400-500 hot sit-down meals per day to low-income & homeless citizens in Vancouver's DTES;

2) To provide food to support 80 food service programs, provided by daycares, youth street programs, women shelters, halfway houses, neighbourhood houses, mental health organizations, and recovery homes to name a few;

3) To provide emergency food hampers to individuals and families referred by social service agencies;

4) To facilitate a food grocery store for Quest volunteers and voucher recipients.

Quest currently operates with over 300 volunteers per year and ten employees. Facilities include 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse in East Vancouver at 1102 East Georgia and a leased commercial kitchen at 303 East Cordova Street in Vancouver's DTES. Quest will take possession of a new 7,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility (with future commercial kitchen capability) on February 1, 2004.

The Warehouse Management System project is part of a larger expansion project being undertaken to meet the demand for its services. Other components also include the eventual purchase of a warehouse, increasing the vehicle fleet, building a commercial kitchen/food processing facility and launching a line of for-profit food products as a revenue stream to support operations.

In addition to its suppliers and partners, Quest also works closely with other food service providers, social service agencies and all three levels of government to improve the food security of low income and at-risk citizens.

About BC Technology Social Venture Partners

BC Technology Social Venture Partners is a charitable foundation created by individuals in B.C's. technology industries, that supports groups serving children, women at risk and people living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Partners go beyond just writing a cheque and also contribute their time, expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to the not for profit world.

BCT SVP provides meaningful opportunities to get involved, increases its partners' understanding of social problems and develop sustainable solutions that enhance the quality of life in our communities.

"We take an entrepreneurial approach to solving social problems by encouraging individuals in the technology sector to also give their time and expertise to the not-for-profit world. Partners learn about not-for-profit organizations and develop a greater understanding of social problems and the not-for-profits get needed resources and input into developing sustainable solutions."

Chair and Founding Partner, David Sutcliffe (Chairman & CEO Sierra Wireless).

For further information about BCTSVP visit www.bctsvp.com.