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OPINION HOMELESSNESS: URGENCY, BOLD IDEAS AMONG THINGS NEEDED THE COMMUNITY THAT EXISTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES OUR FULL SUPPORT, WRITES MIKE FARWELL There is a community that exists within our com- munity. That this community exists at all is a testament to the compassion and at- tention it receives from a ip of sup- mile most of us wu ists, it's likely we rarely think about it and almost certain that we have no idea of its depth and scope. Butthere itis, within us, nonetheless. Recently, I had the chance to visit this com- munity and it left an indeli- ble impression. ct MIKE FARWELL Column Like you, I know about Kitchener's “soup kitchen" (officially St. John's Kitch- en) and its location near e downtown. Since 2006, St. John's Kitchen has been housed at 97 Victoria St. N., on the second floor ofacon- verted warehouse. It's more than just a place that serves hundreds of meals every day. Step inside, and you'll find a place that is not only bright and spacious but one where relationships made, and bonds are forged. The people served by the kitchen are experi- encing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or street involved. But the community they've created is no differ- ent than the communities we've created within our neighbourhoods, — work- places, schools, or places of worship. There is connection, care, and a friendliness in own communities, community hums along with an. oS ay allits wn. The recent annual may- ors' dinner in support of the Working Centre (which operates St. John's Kitch- en) returned to an in-per- son event, t packing a ball- ingemans with about Soop people. Not lost on those in at- tendance was that their number in gathering re- presented roughly only halfofthose in our commu- nity who are currently liv- yume to Plan ei PLANT A TREE TODAY, BREATHE EASIER TOMORROW HARDY, LOCALLY GROW! pie Fruit Trees, Shade & Evergreen Trees, Black, Emerald Cedars Spruce Tree Sale 2’-12’. & Maples 6”-20 from ‘99.99 Fruit Trees: Apples, Peaches, Apricots from $49.99 Boxwoods 1’-3’ from $14.99 from $54.99 j Maples 3.8" from $59.99 Hanging Baskets SEEDLINGS-Spruce, Norway spruce, Cedar and Balsam Fir Weeping Trees & Topgrafted & Spirals RETAIL » WHOLESALE SONTRAETINGs TRUCK DELIVERY & PLANTING SERVICES ing unsheltered. the som this year was creative Teenie re. sponses t ot homelessness. E: les like the swift outdoor shelter on Erbs Road, were cited. Along with a host of po- litical dignitaries, this profit and charitable agen- cies — were made aware of the challenge ahead. Will we lean in asa com- munity and m ith ur- gency the challenge that's been presented to us, or will we look back in 20 years and ask why we didn't do more, way back when? As the 10th largest mu- nicipality in the country, we can raise our voices in advocacy to the provincial and federal governments Store Made Boneless Souvlaki Pork Chops $4.99 Ib Reg $6.99 Ib ebee/Water Tonehin on the outdoor shelter site at tout Erbs Rd., Wilmot for their necessary sup- port in this effort. We can consider bold ideas to create housing quickly, rathe ing for it to bel built. Teo ot aes a “ or wr region's dered: one the, count be expropriated for made shelter. be opposition b homelessness crisis isn't reason enough for a mu- nicipality to expropriate €202 ‘y Ae ‘Aepsinyy | e]2]U0s4D CopeyeM | 2 terloo Region Jand, what is reason ugh? rer we can always re- member this community that exists within our com- munity. It's a community that deserves our full sup- port. Columnist Mike Far- well is a broadcaster, MC and advocate. follow him on Twitter at well_WR, or connect with him via Mike.Far- well@rci.rogers.com. Weekly Specials NUTAN it ett s¥-4 0-20) $4.49 Ib Reg $9.90 kg $11.00 kg Reg $15.41 kg ouble Up Mondays!! 1 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg Mon - Thur 9 am - 6 pm; i 2 am - 7 pm; 5 pm Sat 7:30 am - $14.99 Ib Ri Fresh Boneless Pork Loin Roast 49 Ib $12.10 kg Store Made Smoked Chorizo Sausages Fresh Beef Steak falls $15. $33.05 kg $4.99 $11. i ie Store Made Deli Sliced Black Forest Ham $2.42/100 g Reg $2.65/100 $10.99 Ib Reg $12.02 Ib 519-699-4590 STEMMLERMEATS.CA | Only the best from our family to yours! Seniors’ Wednesday!! off '9]9|UOIYDOOLLE}2M