Angels with Backpacks
Diane and Rosemary told us that a woman named Wendy Walters and her two daughters went to Ottawa's Byeward Market one day several years ago and were distressed to see homeless teenagers. After some discussion they decided that a way to help would be to donate some necessities to make their lives a little easier and they put these in backpacks for ease of transportation. An article in Canadian Living spread the idea and Mary Nason, of Midland, started making a few available for the Out of the Cold programme in 2006.
Mary is now in constant contact with the SOS staffers - an addiction counsellor and a nurse - who are working with the homeless in Midland thanks to Council funding and they let her know if there's a need. Mary funded the start up herself and Diane and Rosemary joined her in helping to fill the packs. They have distributed 76 so far, mostly to men but a few have gone to women and even some children. They customize the packs for the recipient.
Council funding for the SOS programme expires in March, though there is hope for an extension and the Angels are working to raise awareness of what they have been doing. They are not a registered charity and when they ask businesses or stores for help or bargains they sometimes need something that recognizes their status. So far they have spent over $6,000.00 and have received donations of $2,000.00.
One MSS class did the shopping and packing as a sociological project for school. Some churches have helped and the Penetang Rotary has donated. But it's still the 6 women doing the shopping, warehousing, packing and distribution.
Midland may have more than its share of people that need help because patients are discharged from the hospital quit often can't go home - they don't have a home or there is no support system for them there - and they stay here but fall between the cracks. One recipient called his a survival pack, which indicates the level of need.
Each includes: clothing - hoodies, underwear, socks, gloves and long underwear if the women can afford it; hygiene products - soap, toothbrush and paste, shampoo, a razor; food - granola bars, juice boxes; and extras - a water bottle, deck of cards, flashlight, blanket, pen and paper. It's all brand new because used stuff is of poorer quality. They try to have 2 or 3 ready to go because there are always new arrivals being referred.
Steve thanked them for bringing this program to the Club's attention and for doing something that obviously has a positive and immediate impact on the lives of the recipients.