The homeless in our area need tents, food and medical attention, according to Robin Campbell at Manna Ministry, and the organization is putting out a plea to the public to step forward with donations.
Manna Ministry is an organization within the Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church that helps provide food and clothing to the local homeless.
Campbell is hoping residents will step forward and donate tents before the rains start, he said.
“We’re down to one or two tents and we wanted to put a plea out there,” he said. “There are a lot of people who have tents sitting around and they just don’t use them anymore.”
Starting this week, the organization is also treating people’s feet.
Campbell said the less fortunate and homeless people have really sore and cracked feet at this time of year and they are offering to clean them, moisturize them and replace their socks.
Campbell said ultimately Manna Ministry hopes medical professionals will step forward and offer to treat some of the homeless.
“People who live on the street have foot problems and all sorts of medical problems which was indicated in the survey (the recent local survey on homelessness),” he said. “We’re not asking (medical professionals) to take on the whole load but maybe just one or two … wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Campbell said the public is unaware that these people sleep in dumpsters and behind them.
He is asking the public for help so they can provide decent shelter for those without a warm dry place to spend the night. “People are in the elements now that the weather is changing and they need waterproof tents and liners.
“Once you get wet you stay wet. You can’t get dry and it is horrible,” he said. The ministry is in need of one or two-person tents, not big ones.”
Food is always needed for the homeless and Campbell said things like beans, soups, fresh fruit and mixed fruit cups are really helpful, especially the ones with peel tops.
The Manna Ministry van used to be parked at the Shoppers Grocery Mart on the Port Alberni Highway, but they have moved around the corner, where they find people are more comfortable approaching them.
They are parked on Hirst Ave near the Rod and Gun, across from the Parksville Medical Clinic every Saturday from 10:30 to 1 p.m.
People can also drop off tents and food to the Parksville Baptist Church on Pym St. in Parksville or contact Campbell for pick-up, at 250-248-0845.
— with files from
Brenda Gough
