According to Elliot Tanti, Boyle Street Communications Lead, items such as gloves get picked up very fast because underprivileged people have no homes to dry items that get wet when they are outside. People generally look for a place to warm up in the winter, eat daily launch and have coffee.
On January 12, 2019, Islamic Relief Canada, hosted their second annual winter campaign, which brought warmth to Edmonton’s most vulnerable community members. Islamic Relief volunteers distributed what they called winterization kits; these kits contain hats, scarves, gloves, socks, and hygiene products. The distribution took place at two locations at different times through the day: Boyle Street (10116 105 Ave NW), 1-3 PM, and the Mustard Seed (10568 114th Street). Islamic Relief also collaborated with Alberta Barber Academy to provide free haircuts for members at the Mustard Seed, Omar Taliani shared.
In an interview with the Communications Lead for Boyle Street Community Services, Elliott Tanti, he shared some items that underprivileged people who come to their centre need. He added that in nine locations across Edmonton, Boyle Street offers four Group Homes, part of the C-5 partnership, a bank in partnership with ATB, affordable housing, and YCSP in partnership with Alberta Health.
While Boyle Street has come up with innovative ways to support the underprivileged in Edmonton; such as housing, harm reduction, sites for drug users, help to those in sex trade, support to those dealing with addiction, building on going relationships, they always appreciate community support to an average 450 people who go to their centre on a busy day, through monetary donations, clothing, gloves, socks, hats and any item that can keep warm.
