Power Outage

No power, then what?

Everyone has heard the line "Where were you when the lights went out?" Have you really thought about that?

In 1998, Ottawa experienced an ice storm, which shut down parts of the city for days at a time. Some locations lost power for a week or longer. I’m sure everyone remembers where they were when that happened.

Recently, a blackout happened at OIM that made me think of it again. Back in 1998, it was January and cold. On this particular night wasn’t as cold, thank heavens, but a section of the downtown went black. OK, you say, it was a section, not a big deal. In one aspect, you’re right. In another way, it impacted OIM in a huge way. We had to shut down one of our art groups. For those who are homeless or precariously housed, it means a lot to be able to count on being somewhere warm for a certain amount of time.

This outage meant businesses that would have been open had to close. Those places where the homeless go to be safe and warm for a bit were now closed. Maybe they go from shop to shop and not loiter, but “window shop” so they could be inside ever so briefly, out of the cold. That was taken away.

Now I’d like to ask you a question: how do you stay warm when the power goes out? Add an extra blanket? They don’t have one. Maybe you are still able to make a cup of coffee or tea. The local bistro is closed, and they don’t have a stove. Sadly, there are no easy-cut answers to that one.

This is one reason that we at OIM appreciate the support and help of the community each and every day. Without your help, we wouldn’t have sandwiches or socks or even a blanket or sleeping bag to give out.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your sandwiches. We thank you for your support whether through prayers, financial or supplies, we thank you.

From all those that we meet and serve each night, they say thank you.

~Elizabeth, IVOS Support