With the upcoming winter months creating more demand for their services, Lloydminster’s Drop-In Centre is putting out a call for donations and volunteers.

In addition to food, shelter and a place to be social for people needing support, the organization works with the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter to provide clothing to men, women and children. In order to do this, they’re accepting donations of boots, coats, sweaters and other winter clothes.

They’re also looking for pastas, sauces and eggs for their breakfast and lunch programs, and necessary hygiene products like disposable razors, tampons and pads for people in their services as well.

Drop-In Social Worker and Manager Riley Gilroyed says they want to keep their support momentum going after reaching their first-year milestone, especially as the colder weather hits.

“Last winter we had a significant amount of people accessing supports relating to food and shelter. We are certainly anticipating the same this winter, we just want to be prepared to accommodate that. Even with COVID still present, we want to have as many services as possible available to the public.”

In addition to donations, the Centre is also looking for volunteers. Positions can range from cooking, cleaning and other positions. Gilroyed explains that they don’t have a set number of people they’re looking for, but that they’re looking for people willing to support service users to reach goals.

“[You’re] connecting one on one with people, so building a relationship and trying to build trust to help people access their individualized needs, and we so from a harm reduction standpoint where it’s non-judgmental and base on the individual needs, not anyone’s agenda. We want to emphasize that, as that’s been really effective in the way that we work.”

People wanting to volunteer or drop off a donation can reach out to Gilroyed online or over the phone at 306-825-1022.