Two Advocacy Groups Hosted 'Treat In The Street' Event Friday

Friends Peterborough, along with Street Level Advocacy hosted ‘Treat in the Street’ outside the Friends office on Friday.

Scott Couper and David Fisher outside Friends Peterborough. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Initially, ‘Eat on The Street’ was meant to be an event during which chili was distributed to anyone passing by though, due to COVID protocols, volunteers passed out hot chocolate, baked goods and care packages and changed the name to ‘Treat In The Street’.

Care packages included things like warm clean socks, toques, mittens and hygiene products.

David Fisher, Friends Peterborough, organized the event in partnership with Scott Couper, Street Level Advocacy.

In October Friends Peterborough celebrated their tenth anniversary. They are a group based out of Selwyn Outreach Centre, though they emphasize that their mission is not to ‘convert’ anyone they help.

“We’re not here to convert people, we’re not outwardly Christian - we just try to treat people the way that Jesus would,” said Fisher. “If they thought Friends Peterborough was a Christian organization some might hesitate to come in.”

Friends Peterborough assists those in need with things like filling out applications for for financial aid, contacting social services and providing locations of food banks etc.

They also file income taxes for free year round.

“We’re the only organization in town that does that for free all year round. A lot of our people are on ODSP or Ontario Works so they get different benefits. If they don’t file their taxes on time their benefits get suspended until they file. A lot of people living on the street won’t know how to do taxes, or they just don’t have the means to do them.”

Street Level Advocacy is a new organization, operating out of the Friends Peterborough office.

Currently, Couper is the sole volunteer but hopes that in the new year he is able to recruit more people.

Couper has been a pastor in the Peterborough area for ten years, and just recently decided he would like to take those skills to the street and help those in need.

His main goal is directing people towards any resources available that may apply to them.

For those looking to contribute, both Friends Peterborough and Street Level Advocacy are accepting physical donations for their care packages during the winter months.

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DBIA Partners With Ferrero Chocolates To Give Away Boxes of Premium Chocolates To 4 Local Organizations That Do Vital Community Work

Ferrero Chocolates is looking to give back this holiday season and reached out to Business Improvement Areas across Ontario. The application from Peterborough’s DBIA caught their attention and they offered 84 boxes of their new premium chocolates—Golden Gallery Signature Chocolates.

The DBIA will be giving away boxes of premium chocolates to four local organizations that do vital work in the downtown: One City Peterborough, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Friends Peterborough, and the Aylmer Street Pharmacy.

Jenny Bloom (One City Ptbo), Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel (DBIA) & Christian Harvey from One City (Photo courtesy DBIA)

“I was elated that Ferrero would show such great support for BIAs across Ontario with this extremely generous offer,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “It’s wonderful that we can use that generosity to spread a bit of joy to some in our community that may not feel very included during the holidays.”

“This year has been a struggle for so many Canadians and that’s why it’s more important now than ever before to find ways to support those who need our help,” says Maureen Romansky, Senior Marketing Director, Premium Chocolate, Ferrero Canada. “We’re proud to be able to play a small part in bringing some joy through the gift of chocolate.”

“This chocolate donation is going to raise the spirits of all the young people with us on Christmas morning,” says Brooke Erickson, Y.E.S shelter’s Community Engagement Coordinator. “Because youth in shelter rarely have anyone to buy holiday gifts for them, we asked what they would like, so we can provide something for them to open on Christmas morning. Like most kids, almost all of them asked for candy and chocolate.”

Terry Guiel (DBIA) & Engi Hakim (Aylmer Street Pharmacy), photo courtesy DBIA

The Y.E.S. shelter works to reduce and prevent homelessness by providing shelter, education and transitional supports for youth and families in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. During the delivery of the chocolates to Y.E.S., Guiel will be joined by Atria Development, who will be making a cash donation to the shelter.

“We are so grateful to Ferrero for this gift,” adds Christian Harvey, Executive Director of One City Peterborough, which focuses on housing, food security, community safety and inclusion. “In a year as we have had, where our most marginalized have faced so much, a moment of joy or a little chocolate can mean a lot.”

“Something as simple as giving someone a holiday greeting while handing out a few chocolates during this time can make them feel special and included in our community," adds Pharmacist Engi Hakim of the Aylmer Street Pharmacy, which mainly distributes addiction treatment medications such as methadone and suboxone to the clients.. "For some, this could be the only positive interaction they will experience during the holidays.”

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