Homeless committee to open shelter on Jan. 1

TRURO - Concern for the plight of Truro's homeless is prompting the formation of an emergency haven.
"We have an emergency shelter opening January first," said Mary Jane Jeffery, one of the committee members involved in the effort known as Get Out of the Cold Truro.
"A place that people can go to every night essentially, she said. "We're going to open every night."
Although immediate plans are to establish a shelter that will operate at least until the end of January, she said: "Ideally we'll have it open until the end of March ... that's what we have planned right now."
There are no current numbers to indicate just how many people are living on the Hubtown's streets, Jeffery said. But last year 12 people were identified as being homeless in Truro and the only refuge available was a drop-in centre that was opened during one "real cold snap," she said.
"The meals at churches are always quite busy so there's obviously people hungry. So we're hoping if there is something more permanent we can have more people identify themselves to us, that we can get out of the cold and get some assistance with somewhere to live."
Jeffery said the effort is a collaboration of the homeless committee, local ministries, the Rotary Club and the Canadian Mental Health
Association.
Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can drop items off at St. Andrews United Church, Immanuel Baptist Church or First Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until noon Monday to Friday or anytime on Sundays. Those churches will also be providing space for the shelters on a rotating basis.
"We are looking for camping mats or yoga mats, blankets, pillows, face cloths, hand towels or cash donations for food to help us out because it's run strictly by volunteers," she said.
For more information e-mail
Jeffery at: maryjanejeffery@hotmail.com.