Community Responds to the call for donations

Nine people last night, ten the previous.   One woman each of the two nights.

Full slate of volunteers now lined up for the kitchen till Thursday morning (thanks!), so in good shape for next couple days.   In Richmond, we make a decision to open on a day-to-day basis, but looking ahead, Friday seems like it's going to be warming up.  Four of the Lower Mainland shelters have already said they are closing Friday, but most are continuing day-to-day.  And one shelter opened today for the first time (they didn't open at all last year).

The food continues to be a big hit.  The atmosphere in the shelter last night was wonderful -- socializing, laughter, people gathered around a giant chess board Norm had set up.

Tonight, we have the weekly St Alban Community Meal at 5 and we have encouraged all guests to attend that. It'll be nice to get into a warm place before the shelter opens.

We've had a great response from the community (there was an article on the front page of last Friday's Richmond News, including a photo of our training session) and a steady stream of warm clothing is coming through the front door.   We also purchased things like new underwear, socks, long underwear and good winter gloves.   We open up our clothing supply to the guests each morning before they leave --  they are delighted with the selection of donated jackets, toques, scarves etc and the new clothes are a special treat.

Many people brought donations of clothing for the homeless.  Thank you, Richmond

We've also had lots of food donated, to the extent that we're suggesting everyone take their food to the foodbank.  Our cupboards, fridge and feezer are full!

We've had a few glitches, which is expected.  For example, last night as I was leaving,  my key ring collapsed spilling my shelter keys  to the ground. I thought I'd picked them all up, but it was cold and dark and I didn't realize till I arrived this morning that I was missing one of them.    I looked outside but couldn't find it.   A few hours later, one of the men who'd stayed with us Sat. night walked through the door with a homeless friend, asking if we had any clothes for his friend.    I gladly obliged.  Then he said: "did anyone lose this key?"  Good things are happening.