Friendship Centre seeks donations for homeless men this holiday season

The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is making sure the city’s vulnerable men are not forgotten this holiday season.

The centre is asking for donations for care packages it’s giving to its male visitors.

Executive Director Sandra Youngchief said men make up roughly 90 per cent of their visitors.

“We really want to be able to show people who are homeless that they are loved and that they do have a community of family.”

She said men in need can often get overlooked during the holidays.

“If you’re a female there’s places that you can go to get care packages, and I think that we forget that (men) need these things as well,” Youngchief said.

Younchief said they set a goal of 40 to 50 packages, but  donations have been slow coming in.

She’s confident the community will see it’s for a good cause and step up. The items needed are things like warm clothing, socks, underwear, toiletries, granola bars and fruit snacks.

“It’s easy to give. It’s easy to stop and pick up an extra pair of gloves,” Youngchief said.

“We may not be able to help everyone, but we can help someone.”

Donations can be dropped at 168 Wall Street or for pick-up. call (306) 244-0174.