A drive is underway to raise money for the new warming centre at the former gd2go location on Main Street East.
Ben Farella, the owner of the gd2go at its new location, says customers are being asked to donate a little money in a campaign dubbed Hope for the Homeless.
A sign promotes the fundraiser as people enter the Main Street West outlet.
Farella says the idea for Hope for the Homeless came from Mary Davis, the Executive Director of Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services.
The conversation between the two started around the same time that the former gd2go was being transformed into a warming centre.
“I thought it was a great idea given our connection with the old gd2go and we could be the catalyst to get it going,” Farella said.
“So I said yeah, let’s do it. So we’re asking customers to donate a loonie or toonie.”
Farella says the goal is to soon get other businesses involved.
The campaign has been underway at gd2go for about two weeks and about $500 has been raised to date.
Farella says all the money that customers donate is given to Davis to help out at the new warming centre.
The Knox family owns the building at the former gd2go location and last month there was an announcement to turn it into a warming centre to keep homeless people safe during the cold winter nights.
The facility was to be outfitted with 18 cots.
The Knox family is covering the cost of the rent and utilities but Farella says despite this there are still other costs to consider.
“The place has to be kept in a reasonable state to allow people to come in and put their coats away and sleep for the night,” Farella said.
The money the campaign raises will go towards buying things like blankets and clothing and whatever else is needed to help the homeless.
Farella says whatever the reason, there’s a group of people living in North Bay with no place to call home and they are victims.
He adds even though the community has two warming centres it’s still not enough.
Farella says people have been generous with their donations during the campaign.
As word got out about Hope for the Homeless Farella says a mother came in with her 12 or 13-year-old son and he “dropped off $75”
“Whether it was his own money or how he collected it we weren’t able to ascertain,” Farella said.
“Then we had someone come up at the drive-thru and said here’s $10 and didn’t order anything.”
Farella says it’s not just money people have dropped off.
He says some have come in with blankets, coats and boots which then make their way to the warming centre.
Farella says because there’s a significant need to help the homeless he and Davis plan to form a group or committee early in the New Year to get other businesses on board to help with the Hope for the Homeless campaign.