Eastland, Urban Life Ringwood unite for Winter Shelter’s meals and showers for homeless
Coronavirus is not stopping Maroondah’s churches from helping those in need, with the Winter Shelter program returning for its third year. However, one part of its service won’t be in action.
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Coronavirus is not stopping Maroondah’s churches from helping those in need, though its Winter Shelter program will not be able to offer free overnight accommodation.
Volunteers have begun serving free meals for homeless and disadvantaged people nightly, while a portable shower block has been installed at Maroondah Sports Club in Ringwood East.
The program, which was honoured at this year’s Maroondah Council Australia Day awards, is in its third year and usually offers food and overnight accommodation in church halls for homeless single men.
Last year, it expanded with an afternoon shelter in the Midway Arcade next to Eastland, which is serving meals on Sunday and Monday nights.
Urban Life Ringwood spokesman and venue manager Scott Hawkins said it was highly unlikely the program would offer accommodation this year due to coronavirus restrictions.
But Mr Hawkins said the meals and showers would be available around Maroondah until the end of winter.
“When Winter Shelter realised at the start of the year that we were not going to be able to safely provide accommodation for the most vulnerable in our community and the hundreds of volunteers that serve them, we wanted to find a way of at least providing care and daily meals,” he said.
“Thanks to our partnership with Eastland, Winter Shelter is now able to safely provide food and regular friendly contact with those sleeping rough and others at risk or in need.”
Winter Shelter co-ordinator Gitta Clayton said around 50 volunteers were assisting this year and interacting with up to 20 people each night.
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She said she hoped to expand the program during winter with deliveries to disadvantaged people staying in hotels.
Meals are being served at the Midway Arcade in Ringwood on Sunday and Monday from 5pm, Croydon’s Vive Cafe from Tuesday to Thursday at 5.30pm, and Croydon’s Keystone building on Fridays and Saturdays.
Showers are available at the Cooper Smith Pavilion at Maroondah Sports Club between 1pm-3pm on Tuesday and 10am-noon on Thursday.
Details: wintershelter.org.au