(File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Cold Snap Complications

Door of Hope struggling with cold snap, declining donations

Dec 8, 2021 | 2:57 PM

The cold snap sweeping over Meadow Lake has resulted in some of the city’s most vulnerable population reaching out for additional support.

Over recent weeks, the Door of Hope has seen an increase in demand for services due to the harsh conditions, but the nature of requests has seen slight changes compared to last year’s spike.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, executive director Natanis Bundschuh said very few clients have come looking for emergency housing, but the requests for food have risen since the change of the season.

“We’ve been trying to keep an eye out for anybody that is [needing shelter], to my knowledge right now, there isn’t anybody,” she said.

“Everything is busier. We’re doing a lot more lunches. Our numbers are up about 15 or 20 per cent.”

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The centre also received several requests for winter clothing. The supply of gloves and mittens has diminished to the point where there are only one or two items available.

Both the food bank and soup kitchen have been able to meet the increased demand for service due to several contributions from the community. Earlier in the season, the food bank documented its declining stock, but since then has benefitted from food drives being conducted by individuals, schools and local organizations.

An influx of monetary donations has also filled the gap in essential items needed to complete food hampers.

Bundschuh said while the recent intake of food and money has played a significant role in helping the non-profit serve the community, more is still needed to get through the rest of the season.

“We would definitely benefit from having people donating gloves, mittens and hand protection for the cold weather,” she said.

“We’ve been a lot busier in the food bank because as fast as it comes in, it goes out, so we can definitely benefit from continued donations. Financial donations are always helpful too.”

Despite the recent boost in contributions, the Door of Hope is set to finish the year with nearly $86,000 less than what it received last year.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can drop off non-perishable items directly at the Door of Hope, send financial contributions online or through e-transfer at givehope@MLOM.ca.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp