Arborg Early Middle School’s Youth Philanthropy Club (YPC) is collecting clothing for those who need it most this winter.
Teacher Reena Ostertag-Silver and YPC began organizing the school’s clothing drive after a fellow staff member asked if they could, collecting items for the homeless who attend N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place, a shelter on Winnipeg’s Disrareli Freeway.
“She had learned from a friend that volunteers and works at the shelter that they were in need of blankets, jackets, underwear, and socks,” said Ostertag-Silver. “Of course, we said yes as that is what we are all about.”
Arborg Early Middle School has done clothing drives in past years, but they are not annual. Ostertag-Silver said YPC is very student-driven, with members having the opportunity to choose which charitable organizations they’ll help throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, the group brainstormed charitable actions they’d like to do this school year, planning something for every month or two.
During the week of Halloween, Arborg Early Middle School YPC collected non-perishable food items for the Riverton and District Friendship Centre. This month, they’re running the clothing drive that runs from Dec. 4 to Dec. 16.
N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place is an Indigenous-led community resource that offers a 24/7 warming space for Winnipeg’s homeless. Located at 190 Disraeli Freeway, the non-profit organization offers support, a place to sleep, and food in a no-barrier, caring, and safe environment. The shelter has 140 beds and can accommodate up to 150 people at a time. It’s often operating at full capacity.
Arborg Early Middle School YPC is accepting donations of new underwear, socks, and gently used or new blankets and jackets. Ostertag-Silver said they will also accept other warm clothing, but the centre is in dire need of the items mentioned.
Along with collecting items for N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place, the school group is also collecting items for the Arborg Recreation Centre. Ostertag-Silver said their goal is to collect between 75 and 100 items for the organizations this year.
Almost every two years, the Winnipeg street census is conducted. Getting data from local shelters and organizations and from in-person surveys, 2022’s census found 1,256 people were homeless in Winnipeg, though the number is estimated to be higher. According to End Homelessness Winnipeg, of those 1,256 people, 422 of them were at an emergency homeless shelter, meaning about a third of homeless people in Winnipeg access shelters like this one.
