The community of North Bay has, once again, stepped up to support those in need.
Continuing the Backpacks of Love with a winter campaign in late October, the Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay put a call out to the community to give generously, with a goal of 150 backpacks and 150 supplemental bags.
As of Friday, December 3, that goal was met.
“Once again, we had a great outpouring of generosity from the community!” stated Rebecca Riesen, lead organizer of the Backpacks of Love. “Organizations like The Gathering Place, the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, The Aids Committee of North Bay, and the Crisis Centre were very excited and thankful to receive the donated packs and bags as they were preparing the homeless for the upcoming inclement weather.
"A huge thank you to the Rotary Club of North Bay, Silver Birches Elementary School and HGS as super supporters of the Backpacks of Love winter campaign. As well, a heartfelt thank-you to the countless individuals who donated essential items and monies during our drop-off days."
The Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay was created just over a year ago and the Backpacks of Love campaign was born.
“With 10 churches involved, and 20 volunteers through faith, service and social justice we are addressing the urgent needs of the homeless and are engaging with all levels of government to ensure that homelessness is front and centre in the political arena,” states Leah Pierce, chairperson.
In late January, early February volunteers with the committee will be running a campaign addressing the urgent needs of the homeless in bitterly cold temperatures and harsh conditions. With the Point-in-Time count that was conducted 13-14 October, the Compassionate Committee for the Homeless in North Bay will apply this research to determine the number of the homeless in North Bay.
The committee is made up of the faithful from churches primarily in North Bay’s downtown, who have joined together to address the immediate needs of the homeless. Its goal is to work with the City, existing support services and organizations to find homes for the homeless who want them.
