An annual campaign to help prevent youth homelessness, and help those who are experiencing it, is underway in Orillia.
The Home Depot Canada Foundation holds its Orange Door Project every year in support of local communities. Until Dec. 20, shoppers will be asked at the checkout to donate a minimum of $2 toward the effort. All of the money will go to the Orillia Youth Centre.
“The pandemic has highlighted the need even more,” said youth centre director Kevin Gangloff.
He noted the centre sees “youth of all walks of life” come through the doors. That includes kids who are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless.
Support like that generated by the Orange Door Project helps ensure the centre can do anything from providing programming to giving youth clothing, food or backpacks.
“These kinds of funds are invaluable,” Gangloff said, noting experts have been increasingly focusing on the importance of prevention when it comes to homelessness.
He thanked the Home Depot Canada Foundation and the local store for their support over the years. Through the yearly Orange Door Project and a one-time grant the foundation provided, the youth centre has benefited from more than $80,000 in recent years.
“It’s a tremendous amount of money and 100 per cent of that has gone directly to support youth,” Gangloff said. “We’re very thankful for the support of Home Depot.”
