THUNDER BAY – Frigid temperatures set in over Thunder Bay this week, along with a reminder that not everyone in the city has a warm place to sleep or access to regular hot and hearty meals.
It was the perfect time for Shelter House to unveil its $200,000 Gift of Warmth campaign, asking the public to help keep the city’s most vulnerable off the street and out of harm’s way.
Kimberly Kennedy, a development officer at Shelter House, said the annual campaign plays an integral role in allowing them to provide the services they do, whether it’s beds for 62 people each night, meals for more than 600 people every day, or the street outreach service program that helps the homeless where they are.
“We really want to showcase what it is we do here and how the community is able to continue to allow us to provide these supports,” Kennedy said.
“Unfortunately our programs are not fully funded. We do receive funding from all levels of government. The District Social Services Administration Board is our largest funder, but we do rely heavily on community supports and I think it’s important for us to be able to really show what it is what we’re doing here and the community how their support really impacts us.”
Executive director Michelle Jordan said it’s all about spreading the warmth this holiday season and beyond.
“Basically we provide a warm bed, we provide a warm meal, we provide a warm ride with our warm hearts and that’s what we really want to capture in this campaign,” Jordan said.
“We just want people in the past who have donated to us to keep donating, and hopefully some new people will start donating.”
To donate, visit Shelter House’s website. In the next week or so there will also be a mail-out showcasing the work being done at Shelter House, with an option to respond with a donation.
“They can just pop the cheque in there. They can call Kimberly. They can donate through our Facebook page – there are numerous ways.”
