Pembroke – A local organization dedicated to assisting those less fortunate in the community through the provision of warm meals, overnight shelter, hygiene products and access to necessary healthcare agencies is busy preparing for its largest fundraising event of the year on February 24.

The Grind hosted its official launch for the annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk last Thursday at its Victoria Street location where they announced the goal for this year’s fundraiser has been set at $100,000, the same as last year.

Event emcee and former TV personality, Rev. Dave Henderson, welcomed members of the committee, sponsors and the media for the announcement.

Rev. John Vaudry, the chaplain at the Christian-based organization, opened with prayer, thanking God for His grace and goodness for everyone and the work being done at The Grind.

“You have called us to work together for this important cause, who are helping people in need, who are vulnerable,” he prayed. “People who are homeless and hungry, and we thank you at this time for the warming centre and the work that has been able to happen there.”

He thanked God for the many volunteers who serve in various capacities and for the many tokens of kindness he has bestowed on them.

“And now we pray you will bless our gathering this afternoon and help us as we think about the Coldest Night of the Year, and as we think about the walk and the fundraising. We pray your blessing will be upon us so that we meet our target, even exceed it, and that we’ll be well provided for in the year to come to meet the needs of the men and women.”

Treasurer Rudy Huisman shared the mission statement which stated the organization strives to be an agent of change in the community by serving the needs of marginalized at-risk community members in Pembroke and area.

Rev. Henderson noted when The Grind started in 2016, its assets included four chairs and a coffee pot. 

“And today, it is an agency that makes a really big difference in the lives of a lot of people. He shared statistics showing The Grind had almost 2,000 walk-ins to its client services office from January to November of 2023. There were 107 new clients registered, they distributed 262 emergency food boxes, provided 595 hygiene items, and 410 items of seasonal clothing.

“Referrals to health and social service providers was 674,” he said. “That’s helping folks find help at places like St. Joseph’s Food Bank, the Provincial Homeless Prevention Program, and mental health and addiction services.”

The shower was used 80 times, medical assistance was provided by visiting physicians on 48 occasions, 240 homeless wellness checks and outreaches were conducted, and 17,106 lunches were served from Community Kitchen.

 “These are where your dollars go,” he said.

Rev. Henderson introduced Board Chair Deacon Adrian Chaput noting like everyone else, he has the dream The Grind will be out of business one day.

“We want to live in a world where nobody is going to go hungry tonight, we want to live in a world where no one is cold tonight, but until we create that world, that community and that society, there is an urgent and pressing need for the work that The Grind does,” Rev. Henderson stated.

Staggering Increase

Deacon Chaput said everyone The Grind has helped has a name.

“It’s about building a relationship and that’s what we’re so grateful for, for each person that feels welcomed here, that they know there’s hope,” he said. “And that we are here to welcome them and that we are able to receive the request for what their needs may be.

“Maybe it’s a meal that day, maybe it’s assistance financially, maybe it’s a meeting with a team member in regards to something specific,” he added.

He said he is so thankful to know The Grind has staff members and volunteers with compassionate and loving hearts, like those present who have agreed to be sponsors or fill some other supporting role in the walk.

“Everything you do is helping someone who comes here on a regular basis,” he pointed out.

Rev. Chaput then shared a staggering statistic.

“We looked at last year in 2023 the amount of people who came in for walk-ins client services at the coffee house, looking for assistance. And we looked at January 2023 and we looked at January 2024, and I’m sure you’ll be as shocked as I am the increase of people coming here to look for assistance right now has increased by 75 per cent.

“I’m going to be honest with you, we can’t do this alone, we need all of your help,” he continued. “We really need you to help us with the Coldest Night of the Year because every dollar is put to good use. And we can’t do it without you.”

Rev. Chaput noted there are 130 walkers and 29 teams registered to date and he urged everyone to spread the news about the event. He concluded by making a pitch to anyone seeking to join a team to consider his entry, the Frozen Chosen.

Goal Set At $100,000

Executive Director Jerry Novack said over the past couple of years there was an incredible increase in homelessness in the community. He said they try to meet the needs as they arise. He said outreach personnel from The Grind met with the homeless, while he and others met with county, city officials, and other municipalities to address the issue.

“And that has been very encouraging because that led us into providing a warming centre,” he explained.

 The centre is housed in a 52-foot trailer at the Farmers Market location and is equipped with lounge chairs.

“And on average, we’re seeing about 10 of our guests every night.”

It is open from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m., so The Grind adjusted its hours to open for breakfast at 8 a.m. to allow the centre users to get warm and access the services they require.

He noted throughout the week, different agencies come in to assist clients, by identifying needs and connect them with agencies that can help.

“All the supports come together here to give that kind of wrap-around care,” he said.

He said he is confident the community will respond to this year’s goal as it has in the past. In 2023, the walk raised $108,000, with 50 teams and approximately 270 participants.

The various sponsors were introduced and each one said it was an easy choice to get on board knowing the great work The Grind does. The sponsors includ the lead sponsor, Roseburgh Pembroke MDF, site sponsor Zion Lutheran Church,  rest stop sponsors Cogeco/ Your TV and SunSign Graphics, goods and services sponsor WestWind Restaurant, and media sponsor, myFM. 

Zion Lutheran Church representative Susan Dupuis noted how the church board had been approached by congregation member, Steve Boland, about helping out and it received huge support. She noted how Mr. Boland and others also formed a task force to address the homeless issue and that group united with The Grind and met with county and city officials, pushing for a warming centre as a temporary first step. The hope remains that a permanent shelter will be established.

Zion not only is serving as the site sponsor for the walk, but it also hosted a successful spaghetti fundraiser earlier in January.

“We’re more than happy to have you use our facilities to help out The Grind,” she noted.

She concluded by making a pitch for the church entry, the Zion Frozen Few, prompting Rev. Henderson to pitch his Crazy, Cold Canucks entry

The public is invited to walk the two or five kilometre routes in the February 24 walk that starts at Zion Lutheran Church at 454 Miller Street at 5 p.m.