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Staff at John Howard Society of Saskatchewan-Prince Albert pose for a quick picture. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)
Community support

John Howard Society of Saskatchewan-Prince Albert opens community closet

Jun 26, 2026 | 1:15 PM

A warm jacket, clean clothes or fresh towels may seem like small things, but for someone starting over or living without stable housing, they can make a significant difference.

That’s the idea behind the new community closet opened by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan-Prince Albert at 77A 11th St. W.

Manager of judicial programs, Prianka Patel, told paNOW anybody can come in and pick up what they want without being judged. 

“So that could be people who are homeless or somebody who’s starting over, running away from a domestic situation, or somebody who has had an unfortunate circumstance, like a house fire,” she said. 

Patel added people are always looking for jackets because there is a large homeless population. She said some people are also unable to afford necessities as living costs continue to rise. 

The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

“We have had people come in from our downtown location, but other than that, I’ve had some beautiful ladies who are mothers of five or six kids who just wanted that relief, you know,” Patel said. 

The John Howard Society works closely with other community organizations such as the Indian Métis Friendship Centre, and Patel confirmed some of those clients have been sent to the community closet to get a sweater for the day or something similar. 

The community closet is accepting and distributing clean, gently used clothing and other practical items. It currently has clothing, towels, winter jackets, scarves and other essentials available. 

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell