ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Barb Sweet
The Telegram
A donation for as little as $5 will get a big thank you from Gathering Place executive director Joanne Thompson.
It’s a breakfast sandwich, part of the cost of a hot meal. It simply means a lot, especially in tough times.
“We are always humbled by the community. We certainly will not close our doors and will stay open one way or another,” Thompson said in a phone interview Friday.
Nearly two weeks ago, the downtown St. John’s non-profit facility had to put a stop to serving meals in-house, stop taking donated items, restrict entry to the facility and limit volunteers, among other measures, for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
It turned to providing takeout meals — a breakfast sandwich in the morning, and a hot meal at lunch, with sandwiches to save for supper.
Things are changing by the day, the hour, the minute, Thompson said.
“The reality is this is so challenging for everyone,” she said.
Thompson said she’s pleased to see the government set aside party lines to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it’s critical the curve be flattened.
The clients The Gathering Place serves aren’t people who could stock up on food necessities.
Midday Friday in an cold rainstorm, they lined up outside, as they do in any weather.
“I watch people come here for food, knowing each individual is desperate for food,” Thompson said.
She said they also are among the most vulnerable during the pandemic crisis because of their living arrangements and not being able to social distance or to self-isolate.
Thompson said the need for a robust shelter system is urgent, so they would be able to have all their needs adequately addressed in a safe place, rather than out on the street.
“Let’s get ahead of somebody testing positive,” she said.
Staff are getting through, she said, giving a shout-out to the team.
“Their ability to respond in a moment and turn on a dime is absolutely astounding,” Thompson said.
“We miss our volunteers. I hope when this is over, they will be back with us. We are doing alright.”
The company the non-profit has long dealt with is keeping the food supply up, while some other individuals and corporations step up as well.
Other monetary donations are slowing, and Thompson said that’s understandable, but The Gathering Place is a lean organization and will continue to stretch a dollar.
As for businesses such as grocery stores restricting paying by cash, Thompson acknowledged that’s hard on many people who don't have access to bank accounts for debit to buy necessities.
At Christmas time, a lot of gift cards are donated to The Gathering Place, and usually distribution can be spaced out through the year. However, this year there was a demand during Snowmageddon, and The Gathering Place put a call out, and that’s helping now.
“Little did we know when we put the call out, what it was actually going to look like. Holy heavens, we thought it was going to last the year,” Thompson said.
She said she hopes and feels Newfoundland and Labrador is resilient enough to see its way past the crisis overall.
Non-profit groups across the province have had to rethink how they deliver services.
In a news release Friday, the St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre said while services to its clients may look a little different right now, it is still there for them.
Noting that domestic violence rates are known to spike during hard times, individual support is available by phone Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
The Right Here, Right Now, walk-in counselling service is now a phone-in counselling service. Women can call Tuesdays 12-7 p.m. and Wednesdays 12-5 p.m., no appointment needed. It’s anonymous and confidential.
To access these services, call 709-753-0220 or email [email protected].
Information on The Gathering Place is available at https://kindnesswanted.ca/
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