PRESS RELEASE from Stepping Stones for Success

Photo source: fullyreclined, Flickr, Creative Commons.

Stepping Stones for Success – the Nelson-based homeless shelter servicing the West Kootenay area – is holding a blanket drive. Between now and December 31, 2011, the shelter is requesting donations of sleeping bags, blankets, tents and knapsacks.

Now that the winter months are here, those who do not have a roof over their heads will be turning to Stepping Stones for temporary shelter. However, with only 17 beds, there are a lot of times when the shelter is forced to turn people away and for many, sleeping on the street is their only option. With your help, we can do our best to keep them warm by giving out blankets and sleeping bags.

“One of the hardest aspects of our job is having to turn people away when we are full,” says Klee Hunter, Manager of Affordable and Emergency Housing with Nelson CARES. “We simply don’t have the resources to house everyone who knocks on our door. This blanket drive is a way to ensure people don’t succumb to the winter cold.”

If you have a new or slightly used sleeping bag, blanket, knapsack or tent you would like to donate, please drop it off at 567 Ward Street, #7 buzzer. All donations will be greatly appreciated. Please do not bring coats, sweaters or other clothing as we have enough of these for the time being

Stepping Stones for Success is a program of the Nelson CARES Society and has been in operation in Nelson since December 2004 with funding from BC Housing’s Emergency Shelter Program. Over the past seven years, the shelter has provided temporary housing to over 1000 people.

For more information contact Stepping Stones for Success by phoning 250-352-9876 or by e-mailing steppingstones@nelsoncares.ca.