About 300 people took part in the grand opening of the Steinbach Community Outreach 'Drop-In Centre' on Thursday. It is a non-denominational facility located at Steinbach Mennonite Church. Spokesperson Myra Gerbrandt says this is an expansion of the services operated by Community Outreach. The organization was initially started to assist the homeless in getting off the street and into housing. She explains the drop-in centre is designed to help all people who are struggling.

"It's a space where people can just come in and hang out. We also provide food and clothing. It's a place for them to be and to connect and have a sense of community. For the most part,

they're just people who are really struggling to make ends meet and they just need a little bit of extra help in their week, a little bit of extra food, a little bit of extra toiletry items to help make it through to the next paycheque."

Gerbrandt says the mission statement of the drop-in centre is 'Restoring Dignity Through Providing Basic Needs - Food, Clothing, Shelter and Connection'.

"We have people come in who are just from chaotic lives. Their minds are a mess, their lives are a mess and they have stories that are heartbreaking. They can come to Outreach and they're coming into a place where they're known, where they're loved, where they're care for. We have staff who just pour out love on them and they matter. And, the fact that they matter just gives dignity itself."