On a Cold Winter’s Night: Helping to Support Toronto’s Homeless

On December 28^th, 2017, Toronto broke a 57-year-old record as the temperature plummeted to a frigid -22 C. For many, this bone-chilling day was spent indoors, where it was easy to stay warm and cozy.

However, for Toronto’s homeless, this day – like many other days this winter – was spent outside. While the city scrambled to open emergency shelters, many on the streets struggled to simply stay warm.

“Project Winter Survival”

In an effort to alleviate some of the ongoing struggles faced by Toronto’s homeless, The Rhema Foundation Canada partnered with the Bargains Group to provide supplies for the local charity Engage and Change. Founded out of a desire to “foster good citizenship and encourage healthy communities by giving back,” Engage and Change works to support Toronto’s homeless population. The organization achieves this goal by giving people and companies opportunities to assist in poverty-alleviation projects — a mission that falls perfectly in line with the Foundation’s focus on Human Settlement.

In order to make an immediate impact, the Foundation lent its efforts to Engage and Change’s “Project Winter Survival.” Established back in 1999, Project Winter Survival has assembled and distributed more than 24,000 Winter Survival Kits. These carefully prepared kits are filled with supplies that bring warmth and comfort to those living on the streets. As the organization note, “these kits often make the difference between life and death.”

With an estimated 500 homeless people choosing to sleep outside in Toronto each night, the kits provide vital supplies for outdoor survival. The kits also act as communication tools that frontline workers can use to start conversations about shelter and support. Indeed, each kit can serve a much greater purpose than simply keeping someone warm on a cold night.

Partnering With The Bargains Group

To contribute to these life-saving kits, the Foundation turned to the Bargains Group – a discount wholesaler providing products for retail, non-profits, shelters, and trade shows. The Bargains Group has a long history of providing supplies for the homeless, making the organization the perfect supplier for sleeping bags, hygiene products, and other winter essentials. With these items in hand, the Foundation was able to put together several kits for Project Winter Survival.

As this winter continues to prove, there is a desperate need to address the issue of homelessness in Toronto. While this conversation continues, the Foundation will continue to help frontline workers attend to the needs of the most vulnerable.