Mission now open 24 hours

 

Since the early 70s the mission has been offering basic necessities for anyone who is in need of assistance. As of Oct. 8, the shelter on 664 Victoria Ave. offers a third meal of the day and its services are now available 24 hours, four days a week. The change is in response to the increase of those using the services. According to Statistics Canada, one in six people in the Windsor-Essex area are living in poverty.

“Everything is a response to the community,” said Downtown Mission Executive Director Ron Dunn. “In general all of our numbers are swelling across all of our programs. It’s important to respond to the need.”

Roughly five years ago the mission’s hot lunch program handed out almost 100 meals a day. Last year the lunch program reached unprecedented numbers and served an estimated 245 meals a day. To put that in perspective, in the past five years people using their services have more than doubled.

“I just wish that people out there with legit business would donate more,” said Robert Trevellin, who has used the mission’s services for years. “We need their help. Some of us can think for ourselves–others can’t, they’re stuck in limbo.”

The meals served by the mission are completely community donated. According to Dunn, the shelter is looking for more support from local restaurants and volunteers to help with the increase in users. Dunn’s goal is to have enough people donate for one soup night each month.