The David Busby Centre will be getting a new outreach truck to help homeless people in the city thanks to a generous donation.
The Kiwanis Club of Barrie presented a $15,000 cheque to David Busby Centre executive director Sara Peddle today at Lucy’s Place on Essa Road.
Along with the $15,000 from the Kiwanis Club, Peddle said they have also raised $8,000 through the Great Canadian Giving Challenge and recently received an anonymous donation of $10,000.
“We’ll now be able to go purchase a new van because our ol’ Betty has decided to retire on us, whether we like it or not,” Peddle told BarrieToday. “We’ve actually been renting a van for the last month, just because it was a safety issue to keep the other one going.”
The Street Outreach van puts around 100 kilometres a day on the odometer getting food and clothes to those in the community who need it and may not be able to travel.
Despite always being busy organizing and planning for the shelter, Peddle said it can be a relief to see people and clubs step up to help out.
“The day-to-day grind of what we’re doing for homelessness is super important, but we couldn’t do it without the community,” she said. “We get tired and sometimes it can be overwhelming or frustrating, but then you see the community coming together and it lifts our spirits and gets us going again.”
Kiwanis Club of Barrie president Chuck McIlravey says he believes in the work the Busby Centre and its staff are doing. He said his organization is dedicated to helping wherever they can.
“We’ve been a very big supporter of the shelter. We find it is something where we want to make sure that everyone is being taken care of,” McIlavrey told BarrieToday. “It is important that folks are fed properly and having a reliable truck to do that service is crucial.”
This is the second donation by Kiwanians to the David Busby Centre in the past 18 months. The organization donated $100,000 for renovations to the Busby Centre’s facility on Mulcaster Street in downtown Barrie.
“It is a good investment for our community and it is wonderful to hear all the great stories of success coming out of Lucy’s Place and the Busby Centre,” McIlavery said.
Peddle and Busby Centre staff will now begin the search for a reliable, spacious van to help continue their outreach programs.
The David Busby Centre is also looking to fundraise through its Catch the Ace draw. To play and donate, click here.
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