MANITOULIN—Like many small and rural communities, Manitoulin Island has few resources to service those in dire need. Most of those needs, such as food and shelter, fall outside of Manitoulin Health Centre’s mandate (and provincial funding), even though they are often faced with the challenges of how to support and provide for the wellbeing of those who present at the hospital’s two Island sites. To that end, MHC recently applied to the United Way Centraide North East Ontario (UW) seeking funding to help provide for those needs.
The response they received was not completely negative, but in the end fell far short of the need.
“We did indeed receive $1,846 in total to go towards food-only gift cards to support persons who are underhoused, transient or transitioning and require supports upon leaving our facility,” admitted Melanie Stephens, “our small way of ensuring they have access to food.”
Ms. Stephens supplied that, “We had noted an increased need for supports, especially over the winter months with people who were presenting with limited access to safe housing, transportation, warm clothing and foods. Unfortunately, the only item funded were the food cards,” adding diplomatically, “but it is a start and at least we are building our relationship with the UW group here in the Northeast.”
