Community group flooded with donations for those displaced by West End fires

A West End community organization is applauding those who stepped up and donated loads of items to as many as 100 peopledisplaced byrecent fires.

The outpouring of support was so great thata storage room used to keep all of the donated clothes and household itemsis too full to accept anything more at this time, said BenjaminSimcoe.

"It's been incredible," said Simcoe, housing co-ordinator with Spence Neighbourhood Association. "We went from an empty space to a completely packed space."

Simcoe said SNA is only looking for larger items, including sofas, beds, tables, cribs andstrollers. Anyone wanting to donate these kind of itemsis asked to contact the organization to arrange a future drop-off date.

The organization first issued a call for donations last week.About 80 residents from one apartmentand 10 to 20from another, both on Maryland Street, were displaced after separate fires in January.

And there was athird building, on Furby Street,shut down in December that forced 40 people out of their suites, said Simcoe.Some people are staying with family or friends orat shelters.

"I don't think people have really had a chance to breathe yet because a lot of people have gone from the fire to hospital and other people are now couch surfing," he said. "So that is sort of in survival mode really."

The SpenceNeighbourhood Association was inundated with donated items starting last Monday, Jan. 21.

"We're amazed by what we've seen coming in in the last week, it's been quite something," he said.

The organization is in the process of helping those who were displaced secure permanent housing, so for now much of the donations will remain locked up at the crowded storage room at the John Howard Society, said Simcoe.

"Some people, we've already had them in there because they literally left their apartments with the clothes on their backs," he said. "Once they get into a permanent place we'll have them back to get some household goods."

Simcoe encourages anyone displaced by the fires or building shut down to reach out to Spence Neighbourhood Association if they need help. They may be entitled to certain benefits they aren't currently receiving, he added.

Monetary donationscan be made on theSpenceNeighbourhood Associationwebsiteor dropped off in person at 615ElliceAvenue.

Those wishing to donate furniture and larger items can contact Simcoeat housing@spenceneighbourhood.org or 204-783-5000, extension 105.