The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge of activity at the Grace Inn emergency shelter for adults in downtown Belleville during the past year.
Chair of the Board of Governors Jodie Jenkins tells Quinte News many homeless people would hang out at coffee shops or use the bathroom at a gas station but this hasn’t been available.
“Whether they need to use the washroom. Whether they need a drink. Whether they need to have a shower or have their clothes cleaned. These were things that they had somewhat access to prior to the pandemic and all of a sudden that just stopped.”
Jenkins says the Grace Inn was established as an 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. shelter but has been offering help throughout the day, because of this issue.
To hear the full interview, tune in to Newsmaker Sunday with host Mary Thomas this Sunday at the noon hour on 800 CJBQ.
