People in Quinte West have responded generously to a call for donations of food, warm clothing, shelter, and cash for the homeless and less fortunate.
Dunc Armstrong and June Kellar took up the Sleep Out Challenge and spent the afternoon and all night in small tents outside Trenton’s Freshco store.
The goal in the quickly organized event was $10,000 for the Cooked With Love For Those That Need volunteer organization that provides around 200 warm meals a day free of charge, seven days a week out of its Elgin Street location.
“We couldn’t believe how people responded to the challenge, especially throughout the afternoon yesterday,” said Armstrong. “There was a real positive vibe and the donations kept rolling in.”
The largest donation as of 3 a.m. Saturday was $1,000 presented by President of Local 534 Unifor Paul Butler.
An anonymous donor handed $500 cash to Santa Claus who happened to be at the event and Santa turned the money over to the Sleep Out Challenge.
The challenge to raise funds was initially issued by the co-founders of Cooked With Love Lynda Millar and Mike Haggart.
Well known Quinte West businessman Kelly Scott initially took up the challenge but was unable to do the event and in stepped former Quinte West Councillor Armstrong and Kellar.
If the $10,000 goal is met, the landlord of the building where Cooked With Love operates, David Gilbert of Bridgefront Tower Corporaton, will waive one month’s rent.
Money is still being accepted and an online silent auction continues in support of the Sleep Out Challenge.
Some of the food donations collected during the Sleep Out Challenge. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
