Creekside Community Church and the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness are joining forces to help local people sleeping outdoors this winter.
"There are far too many Burnaby citizens who are living in extreme poverty or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Faith communities wishing to assist vulnerable people during the winter season need look no farther than our own neighbors," said task force spokesperson Wanda Mulholland.
Creekside Community Church is inviting the public to drop off donations for people in need on Saturday, Oct. 29, between 10: 30 a.m. and noon at West Burnaby United Church at 6050 Sussex Ave.
There will be entertainment and refreshments for people who drop off donations.
The most urgently needed items include warm blankets, winter coats and gloves, hotel-sized toiletries (such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bars of soap, toothpaste) razors, toothbrushes, men's underwear, one-zone fare saver transit tickets, and tuna and crackers "Lunch To-Go" packages.
"We have a long legacy in Burnaby of faith communities coming forward to assist vulnerable Burnaby citizens in so many practical ways," Mulholland said.
"From providing food, blankets, sleeping bags and tarps, to collecting clothing or hotel toiletries for the Progressive Housing Society's homeless outreach program and the extreme weather shelter operated by Lookout Society, the faith community has been there.
"Without this support, these programs would not be able to provide effective assistance."
For more information, visit www. burnabyhomelesstaskforce.org.
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