During Tuesday’s council meeting, the City of Grande Prairie Council will discuss an Emergency Community Group Funding request for the Elders Caring Shelter Society.
According to the council agenda, the $26,000 request will go towards helping the Elder’s Caring Shelter pay for outstanding operational costs, including utility and grocery bills. If approved, the money will be used to support the organization until the second portion of the organization’s Government of Alberta Homeless Supports Grant comes through in mid-October.
“Over the past twenty years, the Elder’s Caring Shelter has been able to financially maintain the operational needs of the organization. Significant changes as a result of pandemic protocols, the inability to fundraise, along with cost-of-living increases, have left the organization in a deficit position.”
The Elder’s Caring Shelter works with seniors in the community facing financial crisis because of health issues, making it so they cannot work, with some of the individuals who access the service reported to be fleeing violent situations.
Administration is advising council to approve the request and use funding from the neighbourhood association operating grant budget.