Baby it’s cold outside

By Torcia Velthuizen

The winter months can get uncomfortably cold for some people but for the 235,000 Canadians each year who are homeless, it is a more difficult season.

According to statistics from the Homeless Hub, on any given night there are at least 6,000 homeless youth in Canada.

In the winter it is more difficult to live on the streets. Those who do so risk freezing by not having a place to sleep, warm clothing or winter footwear.

Liz Atkinson, emergency shelter manager at the Salvation Army said one of the biggest needs for donations is winter boots.

“We always need donations of new items. Like warm clothing, socks, toothpaste. We can’t take gently used items because of a risk for bedbugs. We will take new or gently used winter boots,” said Atkinson.“Currently at the Salvation Army we have 31 beds available but when the number of people exceed the number of beds, we have crash beds available.”

Crash beds are mattresses the Salvation Army will place on the ground with sheets and blankets.

The Salvation Army used to hand out sleeping bags but Atkinson said they no longer do that. The sleeping bag program has been cancelled because it encourages people to stay outside on their own.

“People have been found dead in their sleeping bags in Toronto. They will sleep outside and freeze,” said Atkinson.

Pi Lambda Phi President Brian Richardson, 23, said he understands the reality of homelessness in the winter. His fraternity runs a charity event every year where the members construct a shelter on campus at the University of Windsor and live in it for three days and two nights. They raise money, collect canned goods and clothing donations for the Downtown Mission.

“It’s not just about the ones you see out on the streets. It could be a 16-year-old kid who doesn’t have anywhere to go. I’ve know people in London that have lost their homes and had to live on the streets for at least a couple of months until they got back on their feet, some really close friends of mine,” said Richardson.  “In the winter you just find any warmth you can. You prioritize being warm. It’s a life-or-death situation sometimes. Whatever you can to survive, which is a horrible way to live.”

Another member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity Braeden Irish, 19, joined in the Homeless for the Homeless event.

“I participated in Homeless for the Homeless because I believe that to make change you need to start locally,” said Irish. “The morning is when it gets cold. At night you sometimes can fall asleep right away, but you wake up on-and-off and that’s when it gets really cold. This year wasn’t as cold as last year. We find that when it’s colder more people are inclined to donate.”

The Salvation Army and the Downtown Mission are always looking for donations. To donate money or items, contact the Salvation Army or the Downtown Mission online.