Preparing over 200 meals a day for the homeless just got a little easier at the Humanity Project, thanks to a donation that is pretty cool.
This summer, it has been unbearable for volunteers, due to the extreme temperatures.
Humanity Project Founder Charlie Burrell says, “When we have the warmer going, and the propane stove, and the ovens and everything else, it doesn’t take long before it tends to heat up, and then our friends and guests who would come for supper, sometimes would go outside and sit in the shade, because it was cooler there than inside out building.”
He reached out to a local company to receive a quote to have a heat pump installed, which also provides air conditioning as well.
“We called Fillmore Heating and Cooling to see if they could give us a quote. When they came in, they pointed out that it was brutal hot. They decided to donate a 24, 000 BTU heat pump unit. They also got a hold of their supplier, Source Atlantic, who said they would donate a second 24, 000 BTU unit. Then, Terris Refrigeration Limited came by and said they would do the install for us for free. They really made it all happen,” Burrell says.
That was earlier this week, and Burrell says it is a much more comfortable place temperature wise to work in now, “This is a game changer for us. When you get in, in the morning, it’s cold in here and it’s August. That’s awesome, that’s amazing. If it will cool our building, it will also help heat our building in the winter time, and will will help cut costs.”
The Humanity Projects has been heating their St. George Street location with oil, which tends to be more expensive.
Currently, they are only able to have around 50 people in the building at a time, due to COVID-19, but once things return to somewhat of a normal, Burrell says it’ll give the homeless a place to cool down in the summer, while they get a good meal.
“We have such an amazing community of kind, caring and compassionate people who care about others. I see people everyday, whether it’s the homeless picking up garbage or helping us in the garden. I see the best of people everyday,” Burrell says.
