The City of Greater Sudbury has announced the relocation of Sudbury Outreach Services (SOS), a volunteer-run organization, to the Energy Court tent encampment to enhance the services available at that location. According to a city spokesperson, the move was made to align with the focus on services offered at the site, with no alternative locations under consideration.
As part of a collaborative effort with Sudbury police, the city has been implementing a downtown transformation initiative to address issues such as open drug use, loitering, and trespassing in the downtown area since the beginning of the month. Individuals are now encouraged to seek assistance and shelter at a parking lot near Energy Court, where the Go-Give Project operates a 24-hour warming center.
Denise Sandul, the founder of SOS, expressed concerns about the involuntary relocation and the new site’s limitations, including the lack of electricity. Previously operating out of sea can containers at the old farmers’ market off Elgin Street for four years, SOS distributed donated clothing and toiletries to those in need on Sunday afternoons.
Sandul noted a significant increase in demand, with the organization now distributing 2,000 items compared to the previous 200. Volunteers have also begun providing hot meals, and a barber volunteered to offer haircuts. However, challenges arose at the new location, as they lacked the resources to provide warm meals and faced accessibility concerns for clients not residing in the encampment.
The city cited the need to repurpose Sandul’s previous location for upcoming construction projects, specifically the event center construction and associated parking requirements. Sandul, who tragically lost her son to an opioid overdose, emphasized the importance of preserving the dignity of the individuals they assist, despite the proximity of the new location to the tents causing some discomfort.
Despite the challenges, Sandul remains dedicated to supporting those in need and addressing the evolving demands of the community.