Fort Macleod and district residents have a chance to help out women and children in need.
The Fort Macleod Library’s annual clothing and essentials drive in support of the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter is under way.
The library again is partnering with the Royal Purple to collect items for pick-up by shelter staff at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.
“We have been amazed with the amount that we have received from the clothing drive in past years and how the community of Fort Macleod has been able to rally together to donate to the clothing drive,” women’s shelter executive director Lori Van Ee said. “We really appreciate the generosity of the community of Fort Macleod.”
Anyone interested in donating clothing, personal hygiene and gift items to the association can still drop them off at the library.
The emergency shelter Association serves southwestern Alberta including the Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, Brocket, Cardston, Fort Macleod, Standoff and Claresholm.
During Family Violence Prevention Month in November, the Fort Macleod Library will accept donations of gently used clothing for women and children.
“Women and children who are accessing our shelter, whether fleeing domestic violence, abuse, or other crisis situations, rely highly on the donations we receive as they may come in with very little,” Van Ee said.
Van Ee said the shelter served 65 women and 56 children from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30.
The need for a shelter in southwestern Alberta was recognized in 1988, which led to a committee forming and registration in 1992 as a non-profit organization.
A 10-bed emergency shelter opened in 1997. In 2006 the shelter moved to a new location and six beds were added.
The association’s residential program provides a safe and supportive environment for women and children.
There is a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room and living room with an entertainment area, as well as an outdoor playground.
The association offers an outreach program to support women and children when they leave the shelter with education, referrals, emotional support, transportation and advocacy.
People can support the association by buying $10 annual memberships or making financial donations.
More information is at https://pcshelter.ca/.
“The shelter relies on donations of all kinds, such as feminine hygiene products, shampoos, and conditioner, body-wash, and lotions to keep stocked for the women and children that access our services,” Van Ee said.
