Belleville’s Bridge hub needs underwear & winter clothing donations

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The holiday season is, for many, a time of wish lists – but on the street, the most basic of needs can be hard to find.

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At The Bridge Integrated Care Hub in Belleville, director Ashley Vader said one item is always in short supply, yet donated only rarely.

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“Underwear is the number-one donation that any service that provides supports to the homeless community will need.

“We do not get enough of it,” Vader said.

Only new undergarments are accepted. At this time of year, thermal undergarments are essential for those living outdoors.

“We get a ton of socks. We appreciate the socks; keep them coming,” said Vader.

“It is the giving season, but we also recognize that right now the economy is a struggle for everybody,” said Vader.

“If people are looking for places to donate their coats or last year’s winter wear, we are absolutely happy to take those donations.”

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Vader said not everyone will use the hub; some prefer to be outdoors, even in harsh weather, so gloves, mittens and hats are important, as are hand-, foot-, and body warmers.

“We want to make sure that not only is The Bridge stocked up, but our outreach team is stocked up as well, for those folks who choose to stay outside.”

Manager Alex Van Heeswyk noted knitted items aren’t typically durable enough to last for very long.

The Bridge has shower facilities and tries to keep hygiene products in stock.

“We fly through them,” said Van Heeswyk.

She and Vader said other products in demand include deodorant, smaller containers of shampoo, toothpaste and dental floss.

Winter clothing needed badly

The need for winter clothing is obvious when visiting The Bridge’s temporary location on South Church St.

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Many of the guests standing outdoors or along the sidewalk on a given day lack sufficient winter gear.

As an icy wind blew snow through the parking lot, Phil, 51, spoke at length about reality he and others face during the coldest months.

“It’s rough. It’s tough,” Phil said grimly. He declined to provide his last name.

“I had my own business until two years ago,” he said, saying he was co-owner of an event venue.

“It only took one little thing” for him to lose “every penny I had,” he said. He asked that further details not be published.

He said he hit a low point, only to pull himself back up from it.

Wearing a lightweight parka and toque, he stood with his shoulders hunched against the wind, visibly cold.

He said there is a major need for thermal clothing and other winter clothes – “just your common-sense stuff like regular people would have.

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“We do appreciate it,” he said.

“We live in tents.”

He spoke of the need for gloves, boots, and more.

Medical supplies and such items as hand cream are useful, Phil said.

To illustrate his point, Phil removed his hands from his pockets. They were ungloved, the skin raw, reddened, and dried out from the cold, with blue tape serving as bandages on a couple of fingers.

Snacks are also appreciated, he said.

“Sugar keeps us warm. It’s unfortunate, but it does.”

Needs go beyond clothing

Phil said The Bridge can sometimes provide items, but that’s limited, and not often equitable.

Larger items are harder to obtain, and guests are quick to take any that arrive, he said.

“There’s no blankets, no sleeping bags.”

Another man standing nearby said he and others could use water-resistant pants, for example.

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Tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and propane heaters – or other models not resulting in open flames – are also needed, unhoused residents have said in interviews.

The Bridge’s manager, Alex Van Heeswyk, said hub staff cannot solicit such items but can direct any donations to people in need.

The Bridge is staffed 24 hours a day. It is closed to the public between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 am. and 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Donations may be taken to the office at 125 South Church St., just south of Dundas Street East.

To learn more about The Bridge, visit thebridgehub.ca or call 613-210-1416.

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