The Burnaby’s Task Force On Homelessness is hosting its fourth annual Twice Feels Nice event to gather donations for those less fortunate in their neighbourhood.
“People think about homelessness and they automatically think about the downtown Eastside,” said Wanda Mulholland with Burnaby’s task force. “A big part of what we do in the community is to let people know that Burnaby has our own homeless citizens.”
She says the need for help is significant, even in Burnaby.
The task force, which has been active for more than 10 years, is hoping to increase the number of donations during the slower post-December months.
“It’s purposely timed just after the winter season when people might want to go through their closets and get rid of some things they no longer need,” said Mulholland. “And it comes at a time when donations of clothing is quite a bit slower than it is at the Christmas season.”
Some of the items the event collects are gently used adult clothing, blankets, and non-perishable food.
During the event they usually collect about 100 boxes worth of donations.
“The people that are visibly homeless, make up only 20 per cent of the people that are struggling with living without the basic necessities. So the other 80 per cent are people who are very hidden from view. They are sleeping in their cars, they’re staying with friends or relatives temporarily.”
She says they work with people who not very long ago were contributing members of society and are now in a very different situation.
“We are meeting new people all the time, who never thought, even just a few months ago that they would be homeless.”
The Twice Feels Nice event is taking place on May 14 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 5855 Imperial Street.
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