Victoria’s hub for the poor and homeless saw a record increase in meals served last month.
Our Place Society served 40,780 meals in December. In the same month in 2012, it served 28,038.
“We are definitely seeing more demand,” said executive director Don Evans.
More than 500 people showed up for dinner on Tuesday night. Kitchen staff “might have only prepared for 400 and had to make do or cook more, but we don’t turn anyone away,” Evans said.
Evans thinks the increase is also due in part to the organization recently expanding its services. The showers are now open an hour earlier in the morning. Psychotherapy is offered twice a week and there’s a new knitting group on Sundays.
“We’re seeing more new faces, especially seniors,” he said.
While a surge of last-minute donations around Christmas helped Our Place meet its yearly budget, Evans said the organization will have to plan for greater demand.
He said a large part of meeting that demand will involve engaging other community organizations and businesses to provide services.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth there already,” said Evans, citing an increase in meals sponsored by individuals, businesses and faith groups. “What will really be helpful to us is to partner with others.”
Agency partnerships have worked well in the city’s supportive housing sector, said Andrew Wynn-Williams of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
“We’ve seen small but effective collaborations create success here, and there is also a strong desire in the community for that,” he said.
Our Place Society received a $35,321 grant from the Victoria Foundation a few months ago to hire a community engagement program co-ordinator. Evans said the position — yet to be filled — will focus on making partnerships to meet the community’s increasing needs for the homeless and poor.
