COVID-19 and Out of the Cold

 

The Out of the Cold Program at Eastminster is not able to offer overnight accommodation during the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. However, We are committed to providing food, basic needs and washroom access. Guests can access the program indoors on Fridays 5:30 – 7:30pm from November 5th to March 25th by the main doors on Jackman Ave. Food and basic needs will be distributed on a take-out basis.

 

WHAT WE ARE DOING

 

Every Friday evening, until the end of March, we are providing take-out meals which include a hot dinner and a robust lunch kit, basic needs, and limited select clothing and toiletries on a weekly rotation. All who are hungry or in need of basics are welcome. Each Friday, we are also packaging additional take-out meals to be distributed through the Glen Rhodes Food Bank and donating leftover sandwiches and fruit to Mustard Seed.

Our volunteer-run program is organized and supervised by a dedicated group comprised of church and community members. Our ability to offer support for those in need in our community comes 100% from donations from individual, group and congregational donations.

ON SITE WE PROVIDE

 

From the first week in November to the last week of March on Fridays from 5:30 until 7:30pm, we will provide the following:

      • a friendly welcome
      • a hot take-out meal
      • hot coffee / tea
      • a bag lunch to go (sandwich, fruit, drink, hummus + carrots, dessert etc.)
      • toiletries
      • PPE kits (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer)
      • clean select new and gently used adult clothing (jeans, hoodies, t-shirts)
      • new underwear and socks
      • new adult winter boots, coats, gloves (as donated/purchased)

 

VOLUNTEERING

 

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there are limited opportunities to volunteer in the program this year.  All volunteers are required to be double vaccinated, wear PPE and follow strict pandemic protocols.

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Emilia Galaev, Eastminsterootc@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities.

There are many ways that you can support the program even though in-person volunteer opportunities are limited.  Donating items to support our food program enables us to purchase other high demand items that rarely get donated. Consider organizing a food or clothing drive for targeted items or raising funds to help us purchase required items.

The following will help fill our lunch bags:

      • cases of juice boxes
      • cases of protein drinks
      • cartons of granola bars
      • cartons of protein bars
      • individually wrapped desserts (cookies, vachon products (commercially produced or fresh home-made but freezable - brownies, cookies etc. no easily squashed desserts)
      • cases of water
      • fruit (bananas or mandarins/clementines only)

 

CLOTHING DONATIONS

 

We are targeting very specific needed items that can be distributed efficiently. Please help us minimize the sorting and disposal of goods we can’t safely hand out by donating only the items listed. We need mainly adult men’s clothes currently  and a limited amount of women’s clothes . All donations must be laundered and in excellent condition. Donations can be handed to a volunteer on Fridays between 3:30 and 7:30 at the main Jackman doors (Call posted OOTC contact number if the door is locked). Please deliver donations only during this designated collection time.

Used in excellent condition (all zippers /buttons work, laundered, no rips or stains):

    • men's jeans (no dress pants, thin cotton pants etc.)
    • men's sweatpants
    • men's hoodies and sweatshirts (no sweaters)
    • men's and women’s warm winter ski jackets (M – 3X) (no cloth coats)
    • men's and women’s rain jackets
    • women’s hoodies, sweatpants, jeans, long sleeve t-shirts (M- 3X – no XS/S) (ABSOLUTELY NO WOMEN’S DRESS CLOTHES)
    • toques

.
New items:

    • all items listed above
    • priority: men’s size M. L and 2XL, women’s underwear M - XL
    • thermal socks
    • long johns – M & L
    • thermal undershirts
    • men's and women's waterproof gloves (no knitted items)

 

Other non-clothing donations for clothing outlet:

    • men's and women's deodorant (all sizes)
    • razors
    • shaving cream (all sizes)
    • toothpaste (all sizes)
    • small travel size bottles of hand sanitizer
    • pocket packets of tissues
    • feminine hygiene products
    • bladder pads
    • hand warmers
    • packets of wet wipes
    • shampoo (small and family sized – no sample packets)
    • body lotion (small and family sized)

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FINANCIAL DONATIONS

 

The OOTC outreach initiatives are funded 100% by donations and run by volunteers – all money donated is used to fund the program.

    • $10 - buys a hot take-out meal and a bag lunch to go for a hungry person in our community
    • $25 - buys 3 pairs of long johns
    • $50 - buys a pair of boots or a coat or 3 pairs of sweatpants
    • $120 - buys 40 pairs of underwear or 3 cases of protein drinks
    • $1000 – helps us purchase additional items needed by our guests

 

Cheques payable to East End United Regional Ministry: subject line: Out of the Cold.

Tax-receipts (mailed in February) will be issued for any donation of $25 or more.

MAKE A DONATION

HENEIN HUTCHHISON & ROBITAILLE LAW FIRM

THE SANAGAN/ ROBITAILLE FAMILY

DOUGH BAKE SHOP

LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH - JEAN BRUCE FUND

EXODUS GRAPHICS

JACKMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

TED REEVE THUNDER YEAR 2011 HOCKEY TEAM

AMBER TEAK VINTAGE

POOL MATES POOL 7 HOT TUB

 GET IN TOUCH

 

Volunteer Inquiries: 

Volunteer Coordinator: Emilia Galeav   eastminsterootc@gmail.com

Sponsorship, donations, programming Inquiries:

Program Coordinator: Gloria McPherson  eastminsterootc.coordinator@gmail.com