The temporary homeless shelter program, Out of the Cold, is returning to Truro for the fifth year. It can only operate if volunteers come forward.
Truro’s Philip Quigley is the chairman of the Truro Homeless Outreach Society, which is assisting with the shelter initiative. Quigley said ideally between 150 and 200 volunteers are needed for the shelter, which intends to operate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night from mid-November to the end of March.
“It’s absolutely vital to get volunteers. None of this can go without volunteers (and) there’s no other area in town that provides this (service),” said Quigley.
A volunteer recruitment will be held at First United Church on Wednesday, Oct.15 at 2 and 7 p.m.
“It’s hard to get that many (volunteers) … and maintain it, however, there seems to be a real heart” in the community, said Quigley.
At least two volunteers a night are required for the shelter, which in the past has typically had six to 10 clients a night, and sometimes as many as 12. Clients receive a cot to sleep on, a hot meal, breakfast, bagged lunch and hygiene items or warm clothing.
But that’s not enough, said Quigley.
“One of the heartbreakers is early morning when they have to leave and there’s nothing open that early,” and temperatures are frigid, he said.
With that in mind, the homeless outreach society, which is registered as a not-for-profit organization, is working towards obtaining a location for a year-round shelter that would be called Hub House.
The shelter, which would be open from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. seven days a week, would provide guests with a bed, meals, showers, laundry facilities, mailing address and message centre, daytime locker space, daytime shelter during extreme conditions, optional life skills workshops and navigation support for community services.
A homeless outreach training session for the community will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Truro. New members are welcome.
In addition, donations of personal care items, clothes, winter coats and boots, and non-perishable food are always needed for Out of the Cold and Hub House.
Quigley said area businesses have been very supportive, assisting with donations, laundry facilities and providing lodging if an overflow situation occurs.
Quigley also hopes awareness of local homelessness will decrease stigma.
“I think there will always be stigma. It’s easy when you are able to provide for yourself to be critical … (but) there are good people who have bad things happen to them.”
Twitter: @tdnMonique
