A charity that helps some of the most vulnerable of local citizens is hosting their annual major fundraiser Apr. 23.
Leduc & District Emergency Shelter Association, better known around Leduc County and city as The Hub, is hosting their annual “Seeds of Hope” dinner and auction.
Executive director Susan Perry said The Hub uses those funds to help people who are in desperate straits or at the end of their rope, mostly seeking financial help with things like rent or utilities. “We help people who can’t get assistance anywhere else,” said Perry by phone Apr. 5, noting the charity covers both the county and city of Leduc. “We’re kind of the last stop shop.”
Perry said government agencies tend to have strict guidelines about how they can help, while The Hub can be more versatile. However, Perry said The Hub is seeing a 100 per cent increase in requests, and the charity saw the increase start about six months ago. Besides rent and utility bill help, clients are also seeking help with eviction notices, utility cutoff notices and help with paying for fuel and food. Perry said a lot of the clients have lost their jobs and some were on EI but their benefits ran out and now they have no income.
Perry noted the Hub is also a place that during the winter, those in need of coats and winter wear can come and use the “Coats for Families” program; also, the Community Inn Program in partnership with the faith community in Leduc provides overnight shelter October through March. As well, Operation Night Angel supports the Camrose Women’s Shelter by providing motel rooms to women victims of violence when requested to do so.
The Hub is operated solely by volunteers and funded completely by donation, so fundraising is incredibly important to the charity. “Seeds of Hope” is the group’s number one fundraiser of the year. Perry said the fundraiser is even more important this year because of the increased demand for help in the community.
“Seeds of Hope” will also feature guest speaker Kim Silverthorn of Tacit Knowledge Counseling, who will enlighten guests on how the down economy affects mental health and also a bit about homelessness and mental health.
The evening will also include both a silent auction and a “dessert auction,” where guests can bid on delicious homemade goodies. Perry said The Hub is looking for donations of any kind for both auctions, and all donors will be publically recognized. She can be contacted by calling 780-719-1403.
Tickets for “Seeds of Hope” are $40 per person or $320 for a table, and are available at Coldwell Banker Realty or The Hub office in the Legion. The event will be held at the Executive Royal Inn Sat., Apr. 23.
Perry said funds from the event go to a very worthy cause.
“Due to the economic times people are really struggling and we’re the ones who try to step in and help,” she added.