THUNDER BAY – Like many other non-profit organizations, Shelter House has struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Usual fundraisers have been cancelled, and without government funding, the city’s homeless population might be in even more dire straits than usual.
Thanks to businesses like Thunder Bay’s KBM Resources Group, the fundraising tap hasn’t gone completely dry over the past three months.
Company principal Stephane Audet on Wednesday dropped by the George Street shelter to hand over a $2,000 cheque, the proceeds from a company bottle drive and a mask making effort by one of their employees.
The company, which matched the bottle drive donations, also provided $10 per mask, which were handed out to employees who remained on the job during the COVID-19 crisis.
Audet said they wanted to do something to give back to the community during such uncertain times.
Shelter House helps out some of the city’s most vulnerable people, people who are important not to overlook, especially now.
“Plus we wanted to recognize all the efforts of the front-line workers out there. Of course all the staff here at Shelter House are continuing to do their day-to-day jobs in a very trying environment,” Audet said.
Kimberly Kennedy, the development officer at Shelter House, says the donation truly shows the love and support for the facility, which is serving up to 800 people a day, providing a safe place to sleep, a warm meal to eat or services at their walk-up window.
It’s important, she added.
“Because we’re not fully funded, we depend so heavily on donations to make up the deficit. When local businesses and organizations step up to really support us during this time, we cannot be more grateful,” Kennedy said.
Other businesses are more than welcome to come up with similar fundraising ideas, she said.
