The first real chill of the season has hit southeastern Manitoba, and for the folks at Steinbach Community Outreach (SCO), that means their busiest time of year has begun. Inside the centre, it’s warm, the smell of coffee fills the air, and there’s the sound of chatter, but outside, frost is already forming overnight. “These days in particular, they’re cold,” said Madeline Thiessen, Executive Director of Steinbach Community Outreach. “Last night it froze, so they are coming in with, like, icicles hanging off of them, and they’re very chilly. So, we’ve got some breakfast going for them and coffee all day long and some blankets that they can sleep with on the couches in here if they need to.” Thiessen said the past few mornings have been especially busy as people come in shivering, looking for warmth, a meal, or just a safe space to sit for a while. “When it gets this cold overnight, people start coming in earlier and staying later. Some of them haven’t slept much; they’ve been outside trying to stay warm. So when they get here, the first thing they want is coffee and a place to thaw out.” Making Warmth and Comfort Go a Long Way For SCO staff and volunteers, the goal each morning is simple: meet the most basic needs of those who have nowhere else to go. “Sometimes it’s the small things,” said Thiessen. “A warm meal, a blanket, or even just someone who knows your name, that can make all the difference when you’re struggling.” The organization provides a small breakfast every morning, hot drinks throughout the day, and a few couches where guests can rest. “It’s a warm, safe place for them to just breathe for a bit,” she said. Winter Clothes in Short Supply As temperatures drop, the centre has switched its clothing racks from summer wear to winter coats, mittens, and boots. But Thiessen says the need is already outpacing supply. “We’re pretty short on certain things, like jackets for sure, leggings, which are a really great thing to help layer up, and hoodies and mitts,” she said. “Those are all really essential when you’re outside or living in places that aren’t heated well.” Many of the people coming through SCO’s doors are low-income families, not just individuals without housing. “They’re families that are just living on a really tight budget right now,” said Thiessen. “They can’t even afford boots, mitts, and jackets for their children. So yeah, it’s pretty hard for them.” She said the team often meets parents who are choosing between paying rent, buying groceries, or buying warm clothing. “It’s heartbreaking. So when we can step in and help with something like a winter coat, it really means a lot.” How You Can Help Right Now Thiessen encourages anyone cleaning out their closets this fall to think about donating to Steinbach Community Outreach, especially warm clothing in good condition. “If your kids have outgrown their jackets, or if you’ve outgrown your jacket or just don’t like it anymore, drop it off here; we’d love to have it,” she said. “Boots, mitts, and all of those things too.” But it’s not just clothing that helps. “The other really big items would be hand warmers, it’s always nice to stick those in their mitts for the night so they can survive overnight without frostbite,” Thiessen explained. “Coffee and eggs for breakfast are big too. We love having eggs because they’re high in protein. We can scramble them up in the morning and they’re good to go for the day.” Thiessen notes that thermoses and backpacks are also at the top of their wish list. “A thermos is great because we can fill it up with coffee before they leave, and then they’ve got something hot to drink overnight. And backpacks just help them carry their stuff, it’s simple, but so practical.” Good News: The Sock Situation Is Covered Not all of the news is about shortages. This year, the centre is actually well-stocked in one area: socks. “We have lots of socks right now, probably over a thousand pairs,” Thiessen said, smiling. “We got a huge donation last year, and we haven’t even given them all away yet. So we’re actually good with socks right now.” That’s a small but meaningful success, as socks are one of the most requested items during the winter months. “It’s such a basic thing, but when your feet are wet and cold, it’s miserable,” Thiessen said. “So having enough of those feels really good.” Hours and Services Steinbach Community Outreach is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and sometimes a little later if needed. “Monday to Friday, we’re open to anyone who needs support,” Thiessen said. “But on Saturdays, it’s a bit different. We open our doors as a warming shelter, just for our homeless guests. We don’t give away food or hygiene products that day, but they can come in, warm up, and rest. It’s a quiet, safe space.” The weekend hours, she added, can be a lifeline for those who have nowhere else to go when temperatures drop below freezing. Thiessen adds that SCO currently has 1,100 people registered, with 425 monthly guests and typically around 6 - 8 people dropping in for morning breakfast. A Reminder to Be Kind Thiessen also took a moment to remind the community not to be afraid or dismissive of those who are struggling. “Most of them are still somewhat visible,” she said. “There are a few that are really visible, but most of them find a warm spot under a tree or something.” She wants people to know that the individuals they see outside are people with stories, personalities, and resilience. "Don’t be afraid, they’re amazing people,” Thiessen said warmly. “We deal with them every single day, and we love every single one of them that walks in these doors.” For anyone who wants to make a difference directly, Thiessen’s advice is simple: “If you find someone out there and you want to bring them a meal, just bring them a meal or a coffee. That’d be great.” A Community That Cares As the frost thickens and daylight shortens, Steinbach Community Outreach is once again stepping up to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. But Thiessen said the organization can only do it because of the generosity of the community around them. “We’re so grateful,” she said. “People here have such big hearts. Every coat, every egg, every thermos; it all adds up. It’s how we keep people going through another long Manitoba winter.”