As outcomes of the City of Quinte West’s Community Safety & Well-Being Plan launched in 2021, the City has established a Mobile Community Resource Unit (MCRU) and Community Cupboard to help meet the needs of residents in Quinte West.
The MCRU, located in the parking lot north of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce office at 97 Front St., is now open and will operate until Sept. 2, with staff from the City’s partner agencies available to help connect residents with mental health and addiction information and support services.
“The MCRU is a key outcome of the City’s Community Safety & Well-Being Plan, and plays an important role in the City’s response to community mental health and addiction issues. We want to ensure residents are aware of the services available in their community and provide opportunities and activities to improve mental health and reduce isolation through the MCRU’s outreach efforts,” said Laurie Caouette, CSWB Plan Coordinator. “Through Sept. 2, partnering agencies including the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre, St. Leonard’s Community Support, Prevention & Residential Services, Quinte West Youth Centre, Ontario Provincial Police, IMPACT team, and others will be onsite at the MRCU on a rotational basis to meet with the public and discuss programs offered locally.”
The MCRU will also host drop-in activities and special events throughout the summer, including seated yoga, Zentangle, mindful colouring, senior safety information sessions, and an Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 31. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more details about the MCRU or to view the weekly schedule, visit www.quintewest.ca/mcru.
Also located at the MCRU location is the City’s new Community Cupboard, a resource aimed at reducing barriers for those in need of access to free food and personal hygiene products. The cupboard is open 24/7 and follows the “take what you need, leave what you can” principle. The City appreciates the generous support of residents and community organizations to help keep the cupboard stocked.
Among the items most needed in the Community Cupboard include: granola bars, protein bars, apple sauce, tuna snack kits (with pull-tab tops), chicken snack kits (with pull-tab tops), canned food (with pull-tab tops), bandages, dry pet food, water bottles, sanitary napkins, peanut butter, individually packaged crackers, canned soups/stews (with pull-tab tops), canned fruit or fruit bowls (with pull-tab tops), and donations of grocery store gift cards (to purchase items such as bread and fresh fruit).
Individual donations of non-perishable food and personal hygiene products can be dropped off anytime directly into the cupboard beside the MCRU in the north end of the parking lot at 97 Front St. Those wishing to make larger donations can contact the City of Quinte West’s Community Safety & Well-Being team at cswb@quintewest.ca.