Just over a month into a six-month pilot project at Our Place Society, itB次元官网网址檚 clear that weekend lunches are filling a need in the community.
Thanks to a nearly $50,000 grant from the Victoria Foundation, Our Place began opening on Saturday and Sunday at the beginning of December, providing much-needed lunches for VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 homeless, poor, and disabled.
B次元官网网址淧eople are extremely grateful that weB次元官网网址檙e open on the weekend for lunches,B次元官网网址� said Don Evans, executive director of Our Place. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not addressing all the needs, but it certainly helps.B次元官网网址�
The weekend program has seen between 200 to 250 people per day take advantage of the service so far.
B次元官网网址淲e expect it will continue to increase as people come to know about it,B次元官网网址� Evans said. B次元官网网址淐ertainly, itB次元官网网址檚 showing a need for meals in the city.B次元官网网址�
The society is actively looking for resources to expand and extend the pilot project, which is set to run until May.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a big gap when we close on weekends,B次元官网网址� Evans said.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a goal of the society to remain open on weekends and provide other meals in addition to lunch, he said. Recently, a $50,000 donation from the McLean Foundation was made to the weekend lunch program.
On weekdays, the society sees about 800 people daily, serving between 1,200 and 1,500 meals.
November and December are crucial months for the fundraising that allows the society to meet its annual operating costs of approximately $3.2 million. Almost half of its revenue comes from donations made during these months, Evans said.
While the society is partly funded by the government, it largely relies on donations from the local community. In November, the society saw a decrease in donations of 25 to 30 per cent compared to 2011.
B次元官网网址淓ven though donations slow (during January and February), the need in the community doesnB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� Evans said.
Donations can be made to Our Place Society by visiting ourplacesociety.com or by calling 250-388-7112.
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