Outflow Ministry seeking winter clothing donations in Saint John

The Outflow Foundation Centre is seeking winter clothing donations. (Source: Avery MacRae/CTV News Atlantic)

The Outflow Ministry, a non-profit organization in Saint John, N.B., is asking for the public’s help in securing winter clothing items for the city’s unhoused population.

In a social media post, the non-profit says they are completely out of gloves, winter boots, and other warm clothing options, and would appreciate any donations residents can make. Gloves in particularly are needed at this time.

“Any time winter approaches and whenever we get particularly cold snaps like this, the demand grows exponentially,” says Ben Appleby, director of shelter and housing with Outflow.

He says the shelter, which helps people through its 24-hour drop-in, men’s shelter and community meal program, makes requests for these items daily.

Appleby says Saint John residents tend to be generous when called on to help.

“There’s usually donation drives every year from different organizations around hats, mitts, gloves, boots, things like that, just because they know winter’s coming,” Appleby notes. “That’s going to be the need for not only a lot of non-profits uptown, but any frontline agencies that works and serves homeless individuals or those experiencing homelessness. All frontline agencies see the same need and the same increase in those needs over the winter months.”

Appleby points out visible homelessness has become more evident in recent years. With many of those individuals spending much of time that outside during the day, he says keeping them warm is essential.

“Temperatures drop, wind chills drop, so you’re going to need to at least have something protective on you,” says Appleby. “We really are in desperate need of coats, mittens, boots, any of those winter things to keep somebody warm.”

Those looking to donate can contact the Outflow Ministry or the Saint John Human Development Council.

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