Homeless Survival Kits To Hit Toronto Streets
Posted January 13, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
For much of December and well into January, it seemed as if the bitter cold would never come to visit the Greater Toronto Area.
Halfway through the first month of the year however, it’s come at full force, and while that may be good news for the skiers and winter enthusiasts, it’s nothing but bad news for the city’s homeless population.
But while there may not be much good news for those sleeping on the street, there’s at least a little goodwill headed in their direction.
On Saturday, dozens of volunteers spent the day packing more than 1,000 survival kits to help people in need get through frigid nights on the city’s sidewalks.
The project is funded in part by Hockey for the Homeless, a tournament that helps raise money and awareness for people without a warm place to lay their head. Though not all warm places are created equal. In fact some people feel staying outside and braving the cold is easier than going to a shelter.
“A lot of your stuff gets ripped off when you’re sleeping in shelters,” said a homeless man named Jay.
“And for some reason we go to some places and we end up getting sick.”
And if the street is the best option, the hope is that these kits will at least make things a bit more bearable.
“These people shouldn’t suffer on the street,” said Jody Steinhauer of The Bargains Group.
“These should just help them make it through a little more comfortable.”
Each kit contains mittens, socks, scarves, a sleeping back and some personal hygiene products. It also comes with a warm feeling for those that volunteer their time putting each together.
In total, 4,800 kits will be made. They’ll be delivered to Toronto’s homeless next weekend.
For more information on this project and how you can contribute, visit Hockey For The Homeless and The Bargains Group.
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