Truro Homeless Outreach Society appeals for warm winter clothing

TRURO, N.S. — Mike Conway is urgently preparing for when the real cold hits.
As a homeless person in Truro he needs everything he can lay his hands on, from winter boots to long johns. He found himself on the streets after falling out with his wife and grandchildren, and left home to make a fresh start.
“It was really hard to do, but it had to be done to get myself better and back on track,” said Conway, who has been homeless for two months.
Helping Conway get back on his feet is staffer and volunteer Melissa Faulkner, at the Truro Homeless Outreach Society. There is a steady stream of others like him in need of winter essentials.
She said THOS sorely needs winter jackets, socks, jogging and skiing pants, as well as hoodies. These items of clothing help keep people much warmer outdoors than jeans. For footwear, winter boots will be needed.
For food items, THOS needs items including juice packs, cereal bars and sandwich meats to keep its clients fed during the day.
“It makes my day to be able to help someone, if it’s to give them a warm coat or just someone to sit with and talk to,” said Faulkner. “I absolutely love it here.”
However, the buildup to Christmas is posing a challenge for THOS. Earlier this month, they were filled to capacity with all 18 beds and cots at its Prince Street location being used.
Winter does not always mean the shelter is full though, as cold weather can deter many people from travelling.
But shelter numbers have remained consistently high for most of 2019.
“So far this year, we’ve had a lot of people,” said Faulkner.
As for Conway, he survives increasingly colder days by visiting the Colchester-East Hants Public Library, where he can find a warm place to sit. He returns to the shelter in the evening, when supper is served and a bed awaits.
He has nothing but praise for THOS’s staff and volunteers, saying “there’s really good people here.”
His dream remains to find his own apartment in town and offer a warm place for the day to his friends.
He hopes one day soon he can have people over to sit around, shoot the breeze.
Anyone in need of help, or wishing to volunteer or donate food and clothing to THOS can call 902-843-2538. People can also email [email protected] and visit the Truro Homeless Outreach Society’s Facebook page.
THOS is located at 862 Prince Street in Truro.