The Mustard Seed Kamloops in 2018 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

HOMELESS SUPPORT

Mustard Seed to provide more meals with funding provided through the City of Kamloops

Sep 1, 2020 | 3:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Mustard Seed is set to get a boost from the City of Kamloops, who’s the recipient of funding from the Canadian Medical Association Foundation.

The foundation, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is providing the city with some funding in the amount of $40,000.

It’s part of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations, spreading $10 million over many cities across the country to better assist the homeless dealing with mental health issues during the pandemic.

“It’s going towards some programs through the Mustard Seed here in Kamloops, adding additional meals in their day room as well as an outreach worker to connect people with supports as they may be struggling through COVID-19,” says the city’s acting social and community development supervisor Ty Helgason.

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Helgason expects the $40,000 to help the city carry on with pandemic-related supports to the homeless until at least October.

“The response to COVID-19 for vulnerable populations has been a collaborative effort between ourselves and BC Housing and community partners,” he said. “We additionally have funding through the Region Home program to address COVID-19. BC Housing has also brought some funding to the table to help with these issues, so right now the project is guaranteed to continue through to at least the end of October, but we’re hoping to carry it through to the end of March.”

Helgason says the temporary shelter on Royal Avenue has been used consistently throughout the pandemic. However, the shelter at Memorial Arena has not been used at all as an overflow site.