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Food and Shelter Committee
   Food and Shelter Committee

"The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living ... including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions." - International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966. Ratified by Canada in 1976

The Committee affirms and supports the right to adequate housing and food for all in our society by involving members in Out of the Cold, a service project for homeless and marginalized people, and by advocating for changes in public policy to secure affordable housing and put an end to homelessness.

Out of the Cold

For information about volunteering in our Out of the Cold program contact Diane Bosman, volunteer coordinator, leaving a message on her voice mail at 416 410-6458. You can also visit the Food and Shelter Committee coffee hour table after Sunday services. The program is currently located at Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor St. West.

The larger Out of the Cold network is an ecumenical project of a large number of Toronto-area religious communities, which open their doors to provide shelter, food and personal support for those in severe need in our City. These programs are coordinated so that there are always locations open during the winter months from November through April. Guests at overnight locations are served an evening meal, accommodated on mats and sleeping bags for the night, and served breakfast in the morning.

Applying our UU religious commitment to compassion for and service to others, the Food and Shelter Committee became active in Out of the Cold in the 1996/97 season. We affiliated with a group of United Churches already operating a program in the Bloor Street area. We provide both volunteers and financial support for this program. Our partners now include a Jewish congregation and the Society of Friends.

Our program serves dinner to between 140 and 170 guests, and accommodates 70 overnight guests who are served breakfast in the morning. Services include a clothing room, showers, foot care and minor nursing care, and paperback books to take away. First Unitarian currently recruits about 35 volunteers who prepare and serve food, set up and clear tables, help with services, monitor halls, and prepare and serve breakfast. Another group of volunteers at First prepares lunches which are offered to guests when they leave in the morning.

Advocacy

While Out of the Cold provides some relief for poor people in our community living in very harsh conditions, we recognize that it does not address the underlying economic, social and political causes of homelessness and hunger. Our concern for equity and social justice has led us to a greater advocacy role. Some of our members are active in the Homelessness Action Group, an outgrowth of our service project. Begun in the spring of 2000 it advocates for long-term solutions to homelessness and for the provision of affordable and supportive housing. We inform First's members about homelessness/housing issues and encourage their participation in campaigns to contact politicians at all levels of government in support of positive change. A very successful campaign in 2000 saw many members contribute their tax rebates to social housing projects.

Contact for the Food and Shelter Committee: Margaret Vandenbroucke, 416 482-5607

Voice mail for Out of the Cold: Diane, volunteer coordinator, 416 410-6458

Voice mail for the Homelessness Action Group: 416 922-4954 ext. 31

website: www.homelessness.on.ca 
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