Work is underway to turn the Moncton Lions Community Centre into a winter warming centre.
That news came from a Committee of the Whole meeting yesterday afternoon. It will become the city’s emergency homeless shelter over the winter.
In the meantime, St. George’s Anglican Church is helping to get the homeless out of the cold over the next few weeks.
Father Chris Vanbuskirk says they’ve seen up to 50 people each night, “We opened last Monday night and have been open each night except one, from 930pm until 1130am the next morning.”
He says they’ve seen a lot of volunteers who have stepped up because of the amount of work involved, “It’s difficult because we have to flip from a sleeping space to a breakfast space, waking up at 7 o’clock in the morning and packing all their stuff up and then replacing it with tables and chairs.”
Vanbuskirk says they’ve built a lot of relationships with those living rough, “They’re just like you and me, they’re real people and they’re made in the image of God, just like we are and this could be anyone of us.”
St. George’s Anglican Church provides over 2000 meals per month and also offers a shower facility to those that need it, as well as a laundry service.
This takes donations, which they are currently in need of. They are in desperate need of warm socks, hats, gloves, boots, jackets, underwear and personal hygiene products, as well as monetary donations.
Donations can be dropped off at St. George’s Anglican Church on Church St in Moncton or email at office@stgeorgesmoncton.ca
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