Out of the Cold
What is Out of the Cold?
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Now in its 14th year of operation, the Holy Blossom Out of the Cold program is a non-denominational coalition working to ease the plight of homelessness and socially isolated people in Toronto, during the winter months. From its humble beginnings, Out of the Cold has evolved into a city-wide coalition of religious and charitable organizations, over 50 in the GTA, participating in a program run entirely by groups of dedicated volunteers. Each site operates independently providing food, shelter and clothing to those in need and in a manner which respects their dignity and self-worth.
The Holy Blossom Temple Program
On December 5, 1996, the Holy Blossom Temple welcomed its first Out of the Cold guests. Holy Blossom was the first Jewish congregation in the Out of the Cold coalition. Our Out of the Cold program, in conjunction with many other social action programs at Holy Blossom Temple provide our congregants with a community framework for Tikun Olam, the obligation of Jews to help ‘repair the world’. Each season, we welcome over 400 volunteers from the congregation and the community at large. On a weekly basis, we serve dinner to over 110 people and provide overnight accommodation to 45 of our guests. We offer:
- a safe, comfortable and quiet environment
- a mattress, blanket and overnight shelter
- a wholesome hot dinner and breakfast
- a lunch bag with sandwiches, fruit and dessert
- the services of a nurse on site for basic medical attention
- entertainment, games and an art class
- a sense of welcome, security and dignity
Where and when?
Our program runs every Thursday night starting with the first Thursday in November and ending on the last Thursday in March. It takes place in the Foyer of the Philip Smith Congregational Hall.
How can I help?
Volunteer your Time. Sign-up night for the 2011-12 season will be announced in the fall.
The program requires your help and volunteer opportunities run in 2 – 3 hours shifts with the first shift starting at noon on Thursday and the last shift ending at 7 am on Friday morning. Anyone over the age of 13 can participate in our program. Children ages 13-15 must be accompanied by a parent. Children under the age of 13 are allowed to volunteer for Thursday afternoon shifts ending before our guests arrive at 6:30 pm, when accompanied by parent. 12-year old Holy Blossom Bar-and Bat-Mitzvah students may participate if accompanied by a parent.
We need volunteers for:
- SHOPPING: Pick up produce, eggs, bread, meat, etc. and deliver to kitchen at Holy Blossom.
- SANDWICHES/LUNCH PREPARATION: Thursday afternoon, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Prepare bagged lunches (sandwiches, fruit, and cookies). Volunteers also prepare snacks for the evening volunteers.
- COOKING DINNER: Thursday afternoon, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Prepare dinner, which includes salad, main course, vegetables and fresh baked desserts.
- DINNER SET-UP: Thursday afternoon, 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. Set-up includes setting tables with plates, cups, cutlery, salt/pepper, water and juice; bread baskets, preparing plates with butter and pickles; etc.
- SECURITY: Five different shifts from Thursday early evening through Friday morning. Provide security for Holy Blossom premises, volunteers and guests. Security volunteers work together with professional security personnel during all shifts.
- SERVING DINNER: Thursday evening, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Assist with final dinner preparations (for example, removing plastic bags for bread baskets, bringing salad bowls to tables) and serve dinner to the guests.
- KITCHEN CLEAN-UP: Thursday evening, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Includes washing pots/pans, all cooking and serving items, drying and returning items to their place in the kitchen.
- SOCIALISING: Thursday evening, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Visit and play cards, board games with guests, etc.
- DINING ROOM CLEAN-UP: Thursday evening, 8:00 – 9:15 p.m. Wash and move tables and chairs, sweep and mop floors to prepare for overnight guests.
- BREAKFAST / MORNING CLEAN-UP: Friday morning, 5:30 – 7:00 a.m. Prepare/serve a hot breakfast; wash mattresses and floors.
Make a financial contribution
Our program is self-funding, replying entirely on donations in cash and in kind, and does not draw upon the Temple’s budget. Funds are needed to keep the program running. If you would like to make a financial contribution to the Out of the Cold program, please contact the Holy Blossom Donations Office at (416) 789- 3291 Ext 508.
Donate clothing and supplies
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Out of the Cold is sustained through the generosity of our membership. The Holy Blossom Community is very large and diverse and needs your help. If you have access to any of the following items, new or used, we would like to hear from you. If you have any connections with retailers, distributors or manufacturers, of any of these items, please let us know. We are always looking for the following:
- Clothing: Only men’s large-sized winter jackets and/or boots.
- Food Supplies: We require lots of food items and supplies on a regular basis.
- Toiletries: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap, shampoo, (hotel size products)
- Other Items: Backpacks, Sleeping bags, art supplies
Donations are accepted at Holy Blossom. Please contact us if you need assistance getting the items to the Temple.
Contact us:
For further information, please click here to send us an email or call the Out of the Cold Hotline at (416) 789-3291 Ext 508. Please note that email and phone line are monitored by volunteers who check several times a week throughout the program weeks, but are not on site to deal with your inquiries. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
The Out of the Cold News Archive
The Kenny Munshaw/Beverley Mahood and Friends Coffee House will be a very special memorable evening with proceeds going to Holy Blossom Temple’s Out of the Cold. Please join us on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each. Click the poster for more details. Click here to register online. Read more »
Holy Blossom Temple’s Out of the Cold would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank the International Group of Companies for its generous donation to the program. What is Out of the Cold? Now in its 14th year of operation, the Holy Blossom Out of the Cold program is a non-denominational coalition working to ease the plight of homelessness and socially isolated people in Toronto, during the winter months. From its humble beginnings, Out Read more »
Volunteer Sign-Up Night – Tuesday October 18th, 2011. It won’t be long before we welcome our guests back to Holy Blossom’s Out of the Cold 2011 – 2012 season. Whether you are new to the program or a seasoned volunteer, the success of our program is due primarily to our warm, dedicated, friendly and phenomenally capable volunteer community. Downloadable below is all of the information you need for this year’s Program. Please print the forms Read more »
