Warm weather crimps donations to city shelters

Winnipeg’s unusually warm fall has created an unexpected problem for some of the city’s shelters and non-profit organizations: fewer donations of winter supplies such as jackets and gloves.

“Folks aren’t pulling out their cold weather gear because there’s been no need to,” said Margot Ross, interim director of development at Siloam Mission. “There’s not a sense of urgency right now.”

Siloam Misson typically starts gearing up for winter right after summer and has a steady stream of people who donate every October. Ross said the low number of winter donations overall is concerning because potentially extreme winter weather could be right around the corner.

“We know this weather can’t last,” she said. “When it’s going to hit, it’s going to hit hard.”

She said the mission has room for nearly 100 people to sleep, but because the demand is much higher during times of extreme cold, they can’t accommodate everyone who arrives.

Since there aren’t enough overnight shelters to meet demand, that will force people back onto the street. She hopes they’ll have the necessary clothing to hand out when it happens.

“It’s heartbreaking that we have to cap it at 100 folks,” she said. “Where they’re going, we’re not sure, but we just pray and hope that they find warmth somewhere.”

A few blocks away, Main Street Project said it’s dealing with similar issues and draws a similar crowd to Siloam Misson. While it experienced more consistent donations throughout October, spokesperson Cindy Titus said she’s concerned they won’t be able to provide certain items once the snow and cold arrive.

“Us not having the appropriate winter clothing to provide to people can be deadly,” she said. “If we didn’t have a tuque for someone or a warm pair of gloves, mittens for someone, that can put them at great risk of things like frostbite and hypothermia. Mittens are a big one.”

Adam Manveiler of United Way Winnipeg said the slow start to donations at Koats for Kids has become a worrisome trend.

“The last two years, it’s been kind of slow at the start until we get that first really cold day, or that first bit of snow that looks like it might stick,” he said.

He said Koats for Kids received 6,500 orders last year, many of which came from poor families. It equalled nearly 20,000 items, including jackets, ski pants, scarves and tuques.

Manveiler said they don’t expect to reach that number this year, and because of the relatively low donation numbers so far, they are unable to fill some orders they have received to date.

“I’m looking at completely bare sections of boys size 8,” he said, “which is our most popular request. Our waterproof winter mitt bins are completely empty. The orders still come in hot and heavy. We need some more for sure.”

Ross, Titus and Manveiler say they believe donations will rebound.

“I feel so fortunate to see how generous Manitoba and Winnipeg is,” said Titus. “What we experience in terms of the concerns about people experiencing homelessness is that people care and they want to know how they can help. Everybody always has our back.”

fpcity@winnipegfreepress.com