Ron Eldridge, who has started the Devoted to You Street Ministries to help those homeless in Lloydminster, is organizing a community donation day outside City Hall on Oct. 28. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Newcomer Ron Eldridge is taking a proactive approach to helping outfit homeless and less fortunate people in Lloydminster for colder days ahead.
The 62-year-old is organizing a community-wide donation day outside City Hall in October under the umbrella of his Devoted To You Street Ministries.
“If it keeps getting cold the way it is, I may have to do it a week or so sooner, but for now, it’s scheduled for the 28th,” said Eldridge.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the gazebo.
“We’re going to have a barbecue lunch as well and just get everyone prepared for the winter as best we can,” he said.
His list of needed items for vulnerable men, women and children includes shirts, socks, pants, toques, coats, gloves, boots, hygiene products such as toothpaste and soap along with backpacks and food.
Tables will be set up on site to collect clothing that Eldridge will give directly to people who need it.
“It’s going to be a great event,” he said.
“I’ve already had some interest in it and I need to get a lot more, so that’s why I want to get another story out there, so people know what we’re doing.”
Eldridge was also interviewed on local TV and other local news outlets about his plans for the homeless.
He quickly restarted his Devoted To You Street Ministries in Lloydminster after relocating from Winnipeg where similar charity events he organized at city hall had great turnouts.
“Donations were awesome. We had so many donations coming in every single day. It was great,” said Eldridge.
In Lloydminster, he’s continuing his ministry work to educate churches, youth groups and other agencies on the needs of street people having the first-hand experience of being homeless for more than a decade.
“I’m taking the bull by the horns and getting support along the way. That’s exactly what I’m doing,” said Eldridge.
“It’s amazing the reception people are giving me when they find out what we’re doing and they’re saying ‘if you need us, we’re here for you,’ so that’s awesome.”
Eldridge plans to invite the fire department to assist with the barbecue and last week he met with Valerie Lazicki, executive director of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter to discuss some ideas.
“I want to discuss more beds with her somehow. Also, I know we are lacking in programs for drug addiction and alcoholism and stuff like that,” said Eldridge.
He estimates about 35 per cent of homelessness is due to mental illness, with poverty being the biggest factor also making it tough for low-income seniors to make ends meet.
“We want to work on that as well. We want to get seniors out of this poverty situation. I’m still working on that,” said Eldridge.
Despite allowing Eldridge to host his event, the City told the Meridian Source in an email, “This event is not something we can comment on at this time.”
Eldridge was disappointed to hear that and said, “As far as I’m concerned, the City should be having a priority on this.”
He says homelessness is something they can’t ignore much longer.
“It’s there permanently and they’re not going to get rid of it,” he said.
In a related issue, a human rights advocacy group recently reported it is suing the City of Edmonton, alleging the city’s practice of clearing homeless camps violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The lawsuit alleges this puts vulnerable people in danger since there are not enough housing and shelter options for them.
