‘They’re obviously hungry, and that’s the bottom line’: Frontline advocates speak out as vote nears to keep homeless services afloat

Council will debate highly needed interim funding for Ark Aid Mission and 519 Pursuit to assist the city’s homeless on Monday. CTV’s Sean Irvine explains.

A funding crisis facing several frontline homeless services will be debated at London City Council on Tuesday.

Agencies, including 519 Pursuit, are awaiting a renewal of federal money that expired a month ago.

In the meantime, they are urging the city to provide financial support.

Gerry McKeon, a retired educator, has spent six years volunteering with 519 Pursuit. Over that time, he learned the stories and backgrounds of those living on the streets.

As he helped to pack 120 lunches to be handed out Monday morning, he cautioned city taxpayers to be sympathetic to what he called “a real need” to help.

“When we give them their lunch, they sit right down on the sidewalk and start eating,” he explained. “They’re obviously hungry, and that’s the bottom line.”

Despite their efforts, 519 Pursuit’s financial stability remains uncertain as they continue supporting people in encampments and those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

A federal program aiding similar programs ended on April 1. Another is expected to be finalized soon.

In the interim, 519 Pursuit and drop-in hours at Ark Aid Street Mission are underfunded.

The agencies are hopeful council will support a recommendation to provide up to $350,000 until the new federal program kicks in.

“If we can get federal funding, which hasn’t been guaranteed, then this band-aid is a necessary piece in order to get us from here to there,” said Sean Horrell, the agency’s outreach coordinator.

519 Pursuit and Ark Aid already have the support of several city councillors, including Mayor Josh Morgan.

“The funding has ended, the federal government is coming through with a renewal of $125 million, and I commend them for that, but we’ve got to come through with some sort of interim funding so the agencies can continue to operate,” said Morgan at a Community and Protective Services Committee meeting earlier this month.

Meanwhile, as the full council prepares to debate the proposal, 519 Pursuit volunteers say they recognize municipal purse strings are tight.

But they worry the lifeline they provide for those on the street will snap without the cash.

“The question is, how do you use your funds most effectively? I can’t see how helping people who are clearly hungry runs contrary to using funds appropriately,” said McKeon.

“If we have fewer meals to give out, then that’s more people that are struggling day to day. If we have less volunteers and staff to be able to get out to the farther reaches, that’s more people that are hiding that are never found,” added Horrell.

And that is something McKeon says would be a tragedy.

“I think if you have any regard for your fellow human being, you’ve got to take this very seriously,” he warned.