Homeless clients pool small donation for Kamloops volunteers

The Loop is preparing to serve holiday meals and pouring over what donations it might need during this cold snap, but organizer Glenn Hilke wasn't expecting a donation from his own clients.

The donation is small, but he said he's grateful some of the clients pooled what little they have to give back.

"That was so touching. A guy came up to me, a senior, and said, 'We know you guys are doing more than you probably should,'" Hilke said on Monday, Dec. 19. "It must have been difficult since they don't get their checks until tomorrow."

The man collected money from several others who come by The Loop for meals, transportation or a place to keep warm. He managed $30, which Hilke initially tried to refuse.

It's not the first time a client has donated to The Loop, but it is the first time any have tried a collective donation for the volunteers.

As the cold weather sets in over Kamloops, Hilke said The Loop will stay open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for this week, giving meals, transportation to homeless shelters and a warming space during the day at its 405A Tranquille Road location.

He said the centre needs warm clothes, especially socks, and other household items like toothbrushes, hoping the volunteers can hand out gift bags over Christmas.

With their current and, Hilke hopes, new volunteers, they'll serve holiday dinners this weekend.

"We usually get somewhere around a hundred meals served on those days," Hilke said. "We usually go through a dozen turkeys, a half-dozen hams and lots of pies."

The social service centre, which often helps people that are homeless and struggling seniors, is looking for more volunteers and donations over the holidays.

Anyone looking to donate or volunteer their time during the Christmas weekend can contact Hilke at 250-879-0465.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.