A Place Called Home (APCH) in Kawartha Lakes is inviting the community to help make Easter brighter for the youngest people currently staying at the Lindsay shelter.
The Lindsay-based shelter provides services and space for those unhoused in the municipality, and also supports people from Haliburton County. Among the current client population staying at APCH are 12 children and youth, who range in age from two to 16.
With Easter Sunday approaching on April 20, APCH is reaching out to the community for support to make the holiday special for the kids and youth.
“We want to make sure that they could enjoy the Easter holidays as any other housed children,” APCH’s fund development coordinator Jen Lopinski told kawarthaNOW about the impetus for the appeal.
Community members can donate sweet treats like candy and chocolate, as well as children’s activities such as egg-decorating kits, colouring books, and more.
APCH is also accepting food donations for the shelter’s Easter dinner. Community members wishing to support the Easter dinner can drop off food closer to the Easter weekend.
“We are serving Easter dinner on Sunday, April 20th to 60 to 70 people,” Lopinski noted. “We are seeking ham, turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, carrots, pies, cakes, rolls, but will gladly take any food donations.”
Items can be dropped off via the front entrance of APCH at 64 Lindsay Street South at any time of day, as the shelter is always open.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity and support from our community,” Lopinski said. “With wonderful donations and gifts, we hope to bring joy and a sense of normalcy to the children staying with us.”
She said community donations will no doubt “help create cherished memories” for the children staying at the shelter over the holiday.
APCH operates the 30-bed emergency shelter and provides homeless outreach and support programs in the communities it serves.
In December 2024, APCH received approval to expand its number of shelter spaces. In partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes, APCH was able to increase its shelter capacity from 19 to 30 beds to address the growing need for housing support.
The expansion is geared at ensuring more people who are experiencing homelessness have access to safe and secure accommodations while they work towards their housing goals, APCH noted.
“While it doesn’t solve the problem of homelessness or offer long-term solutions, it does create some ease on the system and gets folks inside, ensuring that everyone is in a safe space while they work on permanent housing solutions,” APCH’s shelter manager Nicole Bryant earlier told kawarthaNOW about the expansion.
“We are lucky to have a great partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes where we can be flexible and work together to create a cohesive safety net for individuals and families who find themselves without a home.”
For more information about APCH and available services, visit www.apch.ca.
