OPP collecting donations to help the homeless

Chatham-Kent OPP wants to help the Salvation Army take care of the municipalitys homeless.

The police force is partnering with the charity to assist local residents without a place to call their own to meet their personal hygiene and food needs.

When you are down and out and someone lends you a helping hand, it can make a big difference, said Const. Aaron McPhail.

Rhonda Dickson, housing support services caseworker with the Salvation Army, deals with approximately 20 homeless people a month, offering them emergency shelter at a local motel and referrals to community services.

She said homeless people are given personal hygiene packages and a supply of food.

The charity is always in need of items for the packages and foods that can be used in a motel setting, she said.

There is a tremendous need for items that can help sustain and make the homeless more comfortable, McPhail said, noting he witnessed the need during a recent tour of the Salvation Army on Harvey Street in Chatham.

Many of the items that are needed are currently in dangerously low supply, he said.

Donations can be dropped off at the OPP detachment on Park Avenue East in Chatham from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday until Dec. 22 or all year round at the Salvation Army at 42 Harvey St. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Donations of frozen dinners or cash must be taken to the Salvation Army.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chatham
• OPP
• homeless
• Salvation
• Army

[oldspice124]

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