THUNDER BAY -- The Ontario Public Service Union helped the Shelter House get a step closer to acquiring a new van.
On Tuesday they presented a $2,630 donation to help get the Street Outreach Service program back to speed.
Executive director Michelle Jordan said they are in the final steps of acquiring the new vehicle.
“We’re extremely close. Just in the final phases right now,” Jordan said.
The van is typically on the street from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., helping people in crisis who need medical assistance, shelter, food or various other needs.
In January, the van broke down due to transmission issues.
Local agricultural group Roots to Harvest managed to lend the Shelter House a van in the interim.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to run this program, so we’re very grateful for them,” Jordan said.
OPSEU members were able to raise the total within a 20-minute period at a leadership conference.
“That program helps our community daily, and we need to keep it running,” said OPSEU Local 738 vice-president Joseph Everett.
