The first snow has arrived, and all Kamloops community members are feeling the cold. On Nov. 15 and 21, the Hygiene for Homeless club hosted a winter clothing drive in the student street of Old Main for unhoused people experiencing Kamloops’ harsh winters. In an interview with Omega, co-founder of the club and nursing student Jessye Large shared how students and community members can continue to help after their event.
Large told the Omega that clothing donated during the drive will be donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association (C.M.H.A.) for distribution. C.M.H.A. will continue to accept donations of these winter items for students interested in helping the homeless community of Kamloops this winter. Other associations recommended by Large include The Mustard Seed and Out of the Cold Shelter.
“The places we’re [delivering items to] can be directly contacted [for donations]. I know with C.M.H.A., they don’t even need to be contacted. You can donate right to their clubhouse if they’re in small amounts, and the same [goes for] Mustard Seed. They accept things year-round. Obviously, right now, they’re dire for winter clothing. There’s lots of places in Kamloops [to donate to],” Large said.
Due to the weather, warm and waterproof items are preferred for donation; however, according to C.M.H.A.’s website, they take various physical donations, including blankets, towels, hygiene products, shoes and warm clothes year-round.
“Winter coats and winter pants are very sought after… as they protect from wetness as opposed to sweaters that will get wet and eventually cold, even if [the sweater] is warm,” Large said.
The Hygiene for Homeless club is also still accepting donations of hygiene products. Their donation boxes can be found scattered around campus, including several boxes in Old Main. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, menstrual products and more can be donated to the shelters. Information can be found on the Hygiene for Homeless Instagram here.
For more information on how to donate to C.M.H.A., click the link to their website here. Links to The Mustard Seed can be found here, and Out of the Cold can be found here.