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Share the Warmth began in the winter of 1989 when three women were moved to collect warm clothing and food for the homeless. They put out a plea to the public via an article in the Gazette. The response was overwhelming. People called to volunteer, to donate and sort clothes to donate food and to help with deliveries.
The group incorporated in February 1990 and moved to Point St. Charles in 1991. They continued to collect and distribute food and clothing and deliver to the homeless on the street, to drop in centres and to shelters.
In 1992 social workers and members of the community requested that food be given out to area residents living below the poverty line. That was the start of the Food Bank. The first month 39 baskets were prepared. In the next year the first request for food came from a school. James Lyng High School had a teacher who noticed that students were coming to school hungry. He began to give them snacks from his classroom. He asked for our help and that was the start of our School Food Program. In 2007, one of our staff was approached by youth living in a group home. They spent their evenings sitting in the park or hanging out on the streets. They asked her to do something for them and that was the start of our Youth Group. With the school drop-out rates reaching alarming levels, it soon became clear that the youth were in need of various types of support and stimulation. Out of these needs grew the scholarship, music and tutoring programs. The second-hand shop has long provided families with good quality clothing at low prices. All programs provide opportunities for volunteers and work program participants to give back to the community.
From its small beginnings, Share the Warmth has continued to expand its programs to answer many more needs of the community. Each step of the way has helped thousands of people.
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Our original home on Rushbrooke in
Pointe St. Charles. |
Our new home on the corner of
Wellington and Fortune St. |
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