HALIFAX – Mel Boutilier wants to make sure Nova Scotians aren’t left in the cold this winter, but he says without some outside help, it will be a struggle.
Boutilier, the executive director of Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank, was a guest on Global Morning News Monday. His organization helps low-income Nova Scotians who are struggling to pay their home heating and power bills. He said there is more need this year than he has ever seen before.
“We see so many people who can’t put oil in the tank,” he said. “It’s really hard when people come in and tell me they’ve been in a cold house for a week.”
Boutilier’s organization tries to respond to requests for assistance within a day. It has also partnered with Nova Scotia Power to keep the power on in 116 homes this winter.
Boutilier said without other businesses pitching in, fulfilling all the requests is virtually impossible.
“We have been pleading with the companies to help us,” he said.
People who need help can ask a number of charities and organizations, but Boutilier said many of those groups also struggle financially. The government can fill the void, but restrictive policies can slow the process.
“They have application forms … and it takes a week to 10 days to know if they’re going to be approved. If you’re in a cold house for three or four days and have to wait another week, that doesn’t do what it’s intended to do,” he said.
“It’s heartbreaking.”
Boutilier said the fastest way to start helping more people is through donations from other businesses.
“I feel that some of the larger companies that have the means would see light in working with a small organization like ours,” he said.
“I’m sure there are businesses that are sufficiently strong that they could give us some money to help people through these difficult times.”
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