The Windsor Sports and Culture Centre and the Windsor Sikh community are once again giving back. They delivered a massive donation of food, clothing, blankets, and essential items to Street Help Homeless Centre’s new dining room at 992 Wyandotte Street East. A donation of $4,000 collected by the community was also given to the organization. The long-standing partnership has provided meals and support for nearly two decades – especially when Street Help has been strained by the increasing numbers of citizens in the community who need meals, clothing, and other daily essentials. Organizers said the generosity highlights the Sikh community’s ongoing commitment to compassion and service in Windsor-Essex. Jatinder Rai is the president of Windsor Sports and Culture Centre and an active member of Windsor’s Sikh-Canadian community – both have been involved in giving back to Windsor-Essex charities for decades. “It’s great because look at those people inside the centre,” said Rai. “When we came in, I saw some people grabbing the bags from here full of the blankets and they were so happy to walk out.” Christine Wilson, Street Help Administrator, is grateful for these donations that will help fill the void of resources like rice and pasta – which regularly are served in meals in their dining room. It’s a safe and warm space to sit and enjoy a meal – inside and away from the winter cold. Four years ago, Wilson and her team were serving an average of 300 to 350 meals a day. Now, that figure is closer to 500. The need for donations in the form of non-perishables, clothing, hygiene products, and monetary support is an ongoing challenge with an increasing number of those in the community who struggle to feed themselves. “And I’m so happy we have our new dining room that people can eat with dignity,” said Wilson. “The take takeout was a necessity for a long time, but now this is back to our normal. So, we’re very happy.”
