Truro volunteers push for year-round homeless shelter

A group of volunteers in Truro is pushing to open a new homeless shelter. 

As it stands, the Out of the Cold shelter is the only one in town. It operates out of the First United Church from November until April. 

The Truro Homeless Outreach Society has been working with the shelter to expand services in a new location.

"We realize that there had to be a next step, and the organizers of this program realized there had to be a next step," says Philip Quigley, chair of the Truro Homeless Outreach Society. "They've kind of nurtured us along and we're taking the next step."

The group is trying to raise $350,000 to open a year-round shelter.

"I really see this as providing an opportunity for people to be given a hand up, not necessarily a handout," added Quigley.

The Truro Homeless Outreach Society hopes to reach its fundraising goal by April 1. 

Although the new location hasn't been determined yet, the group is looking at several buildings in the downtown core to renovate. 

Once a location is chosen, it will replace the existing seasonal shelter with more services, including laundry facilities, showers and a full-time support worker.

Food bank echoes concerns

At the Colchester Food Bank, there's a steady stream of hungry people facing homelessness. 

Executive director Mary DeAdder hears about people's struggles every day of the week.

"We had a gentleman trying very hard, that was living out under the bridge — and I mean, he has some type of a heater there, but look at what the weather is now," she says.

DeAdder says there needs to be more support for the homeless in Truro.

"It really is needed, and there's a lot of wonderful people out there that would love to help, would love to get it going," says DeAdder. "We're with them all the way."