Sponsored Meal for Encampment Residents

With another weekend of high temperatures predicted, we tried to think of how we can best show up for our neighbours, especially those living in encampments right now, specifically the protest encampment at City Hall which has been operating for 32 days now. We as a team have done a few supply drops, but the heatwave seems to have kept the shop a little quieter too, leaving our ability to contribute a bit limited. So in classic Pinch fashion, we're going to do what we do best - a fundraiser to see if we can do a good thing together. We've set up the option for you to sponsor a meal to be dropped at the encampment, divided between Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The meal with include a vegan wrap, a vegan cookie and a Gatorade, and we will leave them with the HESN team to distribute.

Additional Ways to Support

• Email your elected officials and express your stance on the City’s Encampment Ban and lack of action to support unhoused individuals, (remember that even if your elected official shares your beliefs, the documented volume of resident requests can provide push to move Council to take action, especially if you cc the City Clerk’s Office, who’s email is clerk@hamilton.ca)
• Follow the Hamilton Encampment Support Network - the more eyes we have on these encounters, the more pressure is placed on officials to provide a solution beyong “enforcement”
• Donate finances and/or supplies directly to HESN -check out their linktree for a form for signing up for meal drop offs as well as a list of suggested donations or specific resident’s requests. E-transfers can be sent directly to info@hesn.com.
• Local to Barton Street - donate buttons online at 541 so folks can cool off and get a drink or meal.
• Local to James Street North - donate to Cathedral Cafe, open Mon-Sat serving 2 meals a day and providing access to washrooms and relief from the weather. You can donate through St Matthews House website & select Cathdral Cafe in the drop down menu.