St. Francis School (SFS) is working to support those who are homeless in the community.
This week the school kicked off its “There’s Room in the Inn” outreach project that runs until Dec. 13, where students donate supplies for the local warming centre that’s set to open soon at the Apostolic Way Church.
The project runs in conjunction with advent and students will be donating granola bars, juice boxes, brushes, deodorant, shampoo, soap, and adult hats, mitts, and scarves for the warming centre.
Jamie Petrin and Marty Nelson of the homeless committee were at the school on Monday for a presentation to teach the students about the issue of homelessness.
The students learned there are 82 people in Fort Frances without a home and while homelessness isn’t very visible in the community, it’s an issue that effects everybody.
The students also learned about how stereotypes around homelessness aren’t true, busted certain myths, and reduced some of its stigma.
Petrin said it’s great to educate the children, especially in small towns like Fort Frances where homelessness isn’t on the forefront of their minds.
“I don’t think I saw a homeless person until I was on my Grade 8 trip to Toronto because you don’t see it as much,” she explained.
Petrin told the Times she was very pleased with how much the students already knew about homelessness and how engaged they were throughout the presentation.
The opening date of the local warming centre for this season is tentatively set for mid-December.
