Youth group donates clothing, food to people experiencing homelessness in the region

Helping those in need before the holidays, a local outreach group just donated and distributed about $10,000 worth of food, clothing and hygiene items to people experiencing homelessness in the region.

The Radha Krishna Mandir Outreach Group is spearheaded by local youth who handed out 200 red bags to the Cambridge Shelter, (the Bridges) the King Street Shelter in Kitchener and the large encampment, which sits at the corner of Victoria and Weber streets.

“They see this as their way of giving back to society and giving back especially to those in need,” said the Outreach Coordinator, Prakash Narine.

The group has been helping since the pandemic started, distributing these red bags annually before the holiday season. They started after seeing the need increase locally.

“People that are in need in the community sometimes are overlooked and this is our way of trying to make sure that they feel some warmth and love and care,” said Prakash.

The group delivered some bulk items to the Cambridge Shelter as well to help keep the kitchen stocked.

Each bag was full of hats, gloves, scarfs, foot and hand warmers, treats, drinks, and other items like cough drops and toothpaste. The bags are valued at $50 each.

Open Gallery 6 items

“It’s heartwarming too do something that makes somebody else feel happy or special, especially this time of year,” added Narine.

The group practices self service as part of their faith and hope the bags can make a difference to those in need as it gets colder outside.