Initially, ‘Eat on The Street’ was meant to be an event during which chili was distributed to anyone passing by though, due to COVID protocols, volunteers passed out hot chocolate, baked goods and care packages and changed the name to ‘Treat In The Street’.
Care packages included things like warm clean socks, toques, mittens and hygiene products.
David Fisher, Friends Peterborough, organized the event in partnership with Scott Couper, Street Level Advocacy.
In October Friends Peterborough celebrated their tenth anniversary. They are a group based out of Selwyn Outreach Centre, though they emphasize that their mission is not to ‘convert’ anyone they help.
“We’re not here to convert people, we’re not outwardly Christian - we just try to treat people the way that Jesus would,” said Fisher. “If they thought Friends Peterborough was a Christian organization some might hesitate to come in.”
Friends Peterborough assists those in need with things like filling out applications for for financial aid, contacting social services and providing locations of food banks etc.
They also file income taxes for free year round.
“We’re the only organization in town that does that for free all year round. A lot of our people are on ODSP or Ontario Works so they get different benefits. If they don’t file their taxes on time their benefits get suspended until they file. A lot of people living on the street won’t know how to do taxes, or they just don’t have the means to do them.”
