By Sarah Wallace

Homes for the Homeless to host Christmas meal

Dec 19, 2014 | 6:21 AM

Although its doors closed last year when its funding ran out, Prince Albert’s Homes for the Homeless program has been ever vigilant in its attempts to get the program back up and running.

One of its latest victories is getting approval to host the fifth annual Christmas meal for the homeless community.

Janice Henry is the co-ordinator for the Homes for the Homeless Christmas meal said they’re very grateful to be able to hold the event again this year. The group was just approved to have the dinner, so Henry said they’ve been scrambling to get donations of door prizes for the meal.

“It’s the same as last year. Luckily we have great community response.”

Henry said she’s reaching out to the community for any donations for the Christmas lunch.

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“I’m just hoping we can generate some door prizes like maybe gift cards. [Gift cards] are the most ideal gifts for them because they can go to Walmart and pick up groceries and things like that.”

She said they are also collecting things like mittens, coats and blankets.

“Items can be anything, it could be blankets, or for example, one of the guys last year donated two pay as you go cellphones. That was phenomenal because many people are homeless don’t have that and it can help them get in contact with Social Services.”

Henry said they’ve seen amazing support from the community, with companies like Lux Clothing donating two big boxes full of clothes last year, to the Metis Family and Community Justice Services Saskatchewan Inc. donating $360 worth of gift cards to this year’s event.

She said we have a phenomenal community and that there is still time to support the event and the homeless community.

The event will take place at the P.A. Union Centre at 107 – Eighth Street East on Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

“Christmas is for everyone and if we work together, we have a great volunteer base, so we can make this happen.”

Those interested in donating gift cards or items, or are just looking to volunteer, can contact Henry at 306-940-9143.

Henry said for the program itself, they are still looking for funding for the future and are still accessing other services.

“We are moving forward and working at accessing resources to continue the momentum of the program because we work so closely with other agencies, with the ministry of social services, with the Mental Health Association, with the P.A. Safe Shelter for Women and the housing organization, landlords and the community at large,” Henry explained.

“We want to continue this because there is a great gap since this program has discontinued.”

Homes for the Homeless still opens its doors for people to come by and have coffee.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid