GTA group brings warmth to Essex County

For those who are experiencing homelessness in Essex County, a group out of the Greater Toronto Area has made the cold nights a little more bearable.

The Warm Winter Initiative is a 100 per cent volunteer-based organization where all donated funds are put directly back into the work they are doing.

Leading the charge for the organization is Executive Director Jinnie Sahota, who has family in the Harrow area and reached out to see if they could help the homeless folks in Essex County.

She connected with Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, who then referred her to the Homelessness Hub of Essex County, which operates out of the South Essex Community Council (SECC) building in Leamington.

Leamington Mayor — and Essex County Warden — Hilda MacDonald was on hand, along with Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke and Essex Mayor Bondy, and they were all very grateful for the 65 Warm Winter Kits brought in by the Warm Winter Initiative group.

About 48 essential items were in the backpacks, from personal hygiene products, food and a sleeping bag to hats, gloves and blankets. They also brought cases upon cases of cup-of-noodles that people can easily prepare with some water.

“Since 2018, we’ve really noticed the need,” said Mayor MacDonald. “When you set an example like this organization is setting, it goes on and on.”

The Warm Winter Initiative just got going this past December but has already made a difference in the Greater Toronto Area, allowing them to branch out to other such shelters across the province — including the one in Leamington.

According to Jinnie Sahota, they have plans to re-visit the area in the spring with kits that are geared specifically to women and children. 

“Since March is Women’s Month, we want to bring something that will help women and children experiencing homelessness,” she said.