Residents with new or gently used winter clothing and camping equipment can help people experiencing homelessness.

This initiative has been organized and developed by the YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) and seven Grade 9 students from Riverview High School who are passionate about helping people experiencing homelessness.

“We strive to get youth aged 12 to 30 in the community to come together and work on a community service project that they are passionate about, and when we were trying to figure out what we wanted to do our project about they’ve identified that trying to help people experience homelessness is something their very passionate about,” said YCAN coordinator Brianna Roy.

“They decided that especially during this time of year, considering how cold it is outside, they would like to collect clothing and supply donations for folks on the street to help me it more bearable this time of year.”

The students are looking for donations of hats, mittens, scarves, winter coats, winter boots, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents, tarps, mylar blankets, regular blankets, hygiene products, hand warmers, and warm clothing.

The students are also looking for donations of new and unworn men’s and women’s undergarments in sizes small to medium.

“I’ll be gone after this semester, so my hope is the students will continue this project year after year,” Roy added.

The students will be collecting donations at the school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Thursday.

You will find their big red donation bin as you enter through the main foyer and turn right toward the main office.