Homelessness is on the rise in Whitecourt

 

By Laura Bohnert

It’s been a rough year. As Alberta wades through a recession that has left unemployment on a steady increase, a lot more people are finding themselves in need of basic essentials, like food, shelter, and clothing.

“Homelessness definitely exists,” emphasizes Laurie Ellis, Ambassador and volunteer with Tennille’s Hope Soup Kitchen and Co-Manager of Lorne’s Blanket, a transition home that provides adult men with shelter, food, and the support they need to make changes in their lifestyles that will enable them to reintegrate back into society. “People are actually sleeping out in the cold, in the elements.”

Ellis estimates there to be between 20 and 30 homeless men and women in Whitecourt right now, a number that has risen significantly since the start of the recession.

“And the type of need has changed, too,” Ellis explains. “Many require basic needs, like food and shelter now in addition to those who are requiring clothing or extra food for their families.

“People are adding themselves to their list of needs now, too. There is greater need overall, a lot more people are on that list of needs, and there are a lot fewer resources.”

And it isn’t just families who are finding themselves in need right now. “There is definitely a rise on single people,” Ellis adds, “people who are living by themselves and looking after themselves, people who used to be in camps, who no longer have camp jobs to support them, who used to be working but aren’t now.”

“And these people are not just out in the cold,” Ellis explains. “Some are staying with relatives, many of whom have the bare bones in their residences as well.”

Whitecourt does have resources available for those who are in need, though.

“Lorne’s Blanket offers shelter and a bed for adult men over the age of 18 who are looking to create change for themselves, improving their current lifestyles and growing to become more active and healthy members of the community,” Ellis explains. “It’s a program that also provides food for those men, along with clothing (especially seasonal).

“Lorne’s Blanket also offers workshops and programs, medical and mental assistance and guidance, and we don’t just turn people away if they don’t fit our requirements. We know which resources to direct them to so no one gets turned out into the cold.”

“We have a Christmas dinner as well,” Ellis adds. “Tennille’s Hope and Lorne’s Blanket plan a wonderful dinner on Christmas day. Children and families pre-register, for the most part, and we take donations of gifts of all ages to wrap up for kids and adults alike. It makes it a more personal experience for each guest,” she explains.

Tennille’s Hope prepares wholesome meals—and a warm space—for individuals three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Whitecourt Food Bank is also a resource for individuals and families who find themselves in need. Operating out of the Carlan Services Community Resource Centre, the Food Bank is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Serving more than a thousand individuals each year, The Food Bank enables families to access a week’s worth of food for each family member up to four times a year, and it also provides families with referrals to other community resources.

And there are a lot of ways to help if you are thinking about giving back to the community this year for Christmas—or at any other point in the year.

Tennille’s Hope is currently collecting items from anyone who would like to donate to the Christmas dinner. They’ve also created a reverse advent calendar for those who want to donate an item a day to contribute to upcoming meals at the soup kitchen.

“Individuals can also make financial donations to Tennille’s Hope Soup Kitchen,” Ellis adds. “We have a lot in common with Mother Hubbard. Our cupboards are pretty sparse. Gift cards to local grocery stores also help, both at Tennille’s Hope and at Lorne’s Blanket, so we can buy meat and fresh produce.

“You can also donate little unwrapped gifts for men and women to Tennille’s Hope, and Lorne’s Blanket would love donations of gently used men’s clothing—particularly in the smaller sizes, 34 and under.”

The Whitecourt Town Office and the Allan & Jean Millar Centre are also accepting cash and food donations throughout the holiday season in support of the Whitecourt Food Bank.

“It’s just so important to do things to give back to the community,” Ellis concludes. “It’s far better to give than to receive. It’s a gift you receive in your heart, and an important gift to be teaching our children.”