PARRY SOUND, ON – People who rely on a boarding house need the public’s assistance after it went up in smoke just over a week ago.
The blaze happened at 21 River Street in Parry Sound around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13th.
The Salvation Army is now appealing to the community of Parry Sound to help any way they can. Caroline Claridge is a family services worker with the local chapter.
Claridge said there are 20 rooms in the building that housed the most vulnerable people in the area. She said the building hasn’t been cleared for people to go back and that puts them in a tough situation.
“Some people have been able to be housed,” Claridge said. “Communities members have stepped up. Social services and ourselves have also housed a few in local motels.”
The family services worker added some of the donations needed most are hearty stews and soups, laundry detergent and monetary donations to help house those in need at hotels.
“We are encouraging any of our clients or anyone affected by the fire to come to our food bank and we will warm up meals for them,” Claridge said. “Someone came in this morning with eggs, so we scrambled them up for him and he had breakfast with us.”
According to Claridge, the laundry detergent is needed because of all the smoke that filled the building and got into people clothes. She added anyone who donates over $50 will get a tax receipt.
Claridge wanted to inform anyone in need to take advantage of the free meals offered in the area throughout the week. She said Harvest Share provides meals on Wednesdays and the Salvation Army does a dinner Friday nights.
Claridge couldn’t comment on whether anyone affected by the fire is now homeless and sleeping on the street. She hoped that wasn’t the case, but added the longer the building is out of commission, the less funding there is.
Claridge said there hasn’t been an update on exactly how long the building will be closed for. She added the Salvation Army and the local food bank are always accepting donations.