Penticton charity has plans to help homeless over the summer

PENTICTON – A local charity continues to work to help the homeless in the city with a new meal program and plans for an awareness event.

Mike Forster, the founder of the Keep the Cold Off Penticton Society, says the Paying Forward meal program lets people donate a few dollars while ordering their own meals or drinks.

“Stoked Embers is doing this and Smart Shopper is coming on board,” Forster says, adding there are more businesses looking to participate but the program is just getting underway.

He says the group is also looking at staging a Homeless for 24 Hours fundraiser. Participants will experience what it’s like to be on the street for 24 hours with only the clothes on their backs and a small backpack with a few items.

“A snack, maybe a drink, but no cell, no identification and no hope for food except what’s available," he says. "They will sleep with what they have and beg for food or funds."

Forster says a member of the society's board will travel the streets with the participant. He’ll be asking each person who signs up to raise money for the society.

The society is also planning fundraisers at Parkers Dodge and at Accent Fireplace Gallery. Forster says the group needs funding to support outreach dinners and purchase supplies for the summer months.

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