Mamas for Mamas and Two Small Men make a big difference moving Canadian families

In Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, and beyond, Mamas for Mamas has been changing lives, one family at a time. Offering an all-inclusive community for mothers and caregivers, the agency provides ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles.

As the nature of this type of outreach work often involves moving families from one location to another for a host of reasons, Two Small Men with Big Hearts entered the picture several years ago to offer its moving services, as part of the company’s ongoing mission to give back.  

“We look for partners who are like‑minded, community‑focused, and genuinely want to make their neighbourhoods better,” says Lindsay. “That’s what makes Two Small Men such a great fit.”

Director of Programs and Services at Mamas for Mamas Lindsay Hammond has witnessed first-hand how this relationship between the two organizations has grown into a bond based on community support, and one which brings stability to families in crisis. Lindsay joined Mamas five years ago as a volunteer during its early days, before stepping into her current full-time leadership role. 

“I was part of bringing Two Small Men into Mamas for Mamas,” she says. “They reached out during a campaign to complete 100 moves in 90 days and offered support to our clients.”

What began as an informal agreement in Kelowna quickly blossomed into a multi-city collaboration. “They’ve been super instrumental in helping low‑income moms and dads who simply can’t afford to move.”

At the heart of the partnership is a shared understanding that having a safe place to move to can make a huge difference in someone's life. 

“A lot of our clients are fleeing domestic violence,” says Lindsay. “They’re packing up quickly, often in the middle of the night, to protect themselves and their children. Having movers available on short notice is crucial.

“Others are moving from market housing into subsidized units so they can begin saving and building stability, but they often can’t afford to move.”

Mamas for Mamas had a modest start. Back in 2014, founder Shannon Christensen set up a simple Facebook group in Kelowna to help local moms trade baby gear, food, and other essentials. It was just meant to be a way for people to help each other out, but it grew faster than anyone expected. It turned out a lot of families were struggling and this kind of support was exactly what they needed.

As the group grew, so did the vision. What began as item swaps turned into a full-on nonprofit offering mental health services, crisis support, and even a Karma Market where families can pick up groceries and supplies without any stigma. Mamas for Mamas quickly became a community lifeline. 

“We have three physical locations—Kelowna, Calgary, and Vancouver—and about 10 volunteer‑run storage units across the country,” says Lindsay. “We also have an online presence in 52 cities. What started as a Facebook group to help moms trade items like food and strollers has grown into something so much more.”

The pandemic only increased the organization’s reach. With renewed donor support and new COVID‑focused funding, Mamas for Mamas continued to expand.

“The pandemic turned out to be a huge growth period. We were able to apply for COVID‑specific funding, and not only did our donors come back, they came back tenfold.”

These days, the organization focuses on sustainable growth:

“We’ve learned from the rapid expansion. Now, our focus is slow, intentional growth so we can ensure we’re a permanent fixture in any community we serve.”

Throughout these growing pains, Two Small Men has stayed on board, helping when and where they can.

“They’ve even helped us move our own office spaces. It’s been a great partnership. They’ve been there year‑round, not just for seasonal campaigns. They’ve always made themselves available.”

In the end, it seems like there’s lots of room to grow the partnership. At Two Small Men, giving back is part of how they do business. For Mamas for Mamas, a move can be the first real step toward leaving a tough situation behind and starting something safer and more stable. Together, they’re demonstrating that a partnership between a business and a nonprofit should be based on respect, shared goals, and making a difference.

If you'd like to make a donation or want more information regarding Mamas for Mamas, visit www.mamasformamas.org

To find out more about Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving and the many organizations they have given back to over the years, click here.