Windsorites asked to donate money, food, to help homeless this winter

As cooler temperatures start to set in, most Windsorites can take shelter at home, but those without a home have few places to go.

Several Windsor organizations such as Windsor’s Downtown Mission, Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and the Homeless Coalition of Windsor-Essex County are working to provide warm beds and other necessities, but they cannot do it without help from residents.

John Lewis, who is in his 40s, has lived at the Mission since October 2015. He said having a place to eat and sleep is something he’s grateful to have.

Originally from Amherstburg, Lewis eventually moved out of his home at an undisclosed time due to unsanitary living conditions and eventually ended up in Windsor at the Salvation Army. After a short stay, he was asked to leave and was on the street once more. Police then picked him up and he said he was thankful to be brought to the Mission.

With Environment Canada predicting temperatures to drop to 2 degrees Celsius by Dec. 17, Lewis said he’s happy to have somewhere warm to sleep.

“This (The Mission) is a good place to stay when it’s cold because you don’t want to be out there in the cold. You could die from freezing to death,” said Lewis.

In addition to beds, the Mission provides clothes, toiletries and three meals a day, including its 6 p.m. hot soup program which began two months ago. Since it added the meal, staff have seen attendance jump from 15 people the first day to more than 85 a night. In total, the facility is serving about 726 meals a day.

According to the Mission’s executive director Ron Dunn, it relies fully on donations to cover the cost of its services.

“Windsor-Essex has never failed to help us and they’ve never failed to step up when we need them the most,” said Dunn.

Dunn said the Mission is open to anyone and with winter about to begin, it’s one of several places people can find a warm bed.

Director of community engagement and development for the Welcome Centre Remy Boulbol said Windsor offers many different facilities, such as warming centres, to help people stay warm because “there’s no reason for someone to be cold in Windsor-Essex.”

The Centre has 12 beds and as of Dec. 10 each bed was taken. Boulbol said they see 12-15 women a night and about 400 a year. In addition to shelter, it gives its residents food, clothing, toiletries and bus tickets through donations from the public.

Boulbol said if Windsorites want to donate to the charity, there will be many ways to do it this holiday season.

“If you don’t have money to give, give your stuff. If you don’t have stuff to give, give your time. If you don’t have time to give, then give your thoughts and think a little bit different about the next person you pass on the street or how you feel about people who are homeless and what that looks like,” said Boulbol.

According to Homeless Coalition of Windsor-Essex County community developer Angela Yakonich, homelessness is not just a seasonal issue. She said even when the holidays end, people should still attempt to help.

“The reality of it is homelessness and poverty is a year-round issue,” said Yakonich.

People can get in touch with any of the Windsor-Essex agencies or call the Coalition, which can refer them to organizations in need of help.