Winnipeg’s North End Bear Clan Patrol opening new donation hub on Disraeli Freeway

With the new year comes a new operating space for the North End Bear Clan Patrol in Winnipeg.

Kevin Walker, executive director for the Bear Clan Patrol, says it’s been a big relief to move the North End chapter to 190 Disraeli Freeway.

“New beginnings, and hopefully that’s going to be a new start for us here,” Walker said.

The old space is being renovated, with plans to move back in next month. The new space is being set up as a donation hub, where members of the community can drop off items such as food and clothing.

“We’re just hoping to continue doing what we do,” Walker said. “Hopefully we can get some more volunteers out to continue the great work. I’d like to say our organization runs by our volunteers. They’re the backbone of our organization and without them we can’t do what we do.”

Walker says the new location, which was offered to the Bear Clan for free, will allow the organization to expand into other areas of the city.

“From this location we can reach out, possibly get more towards the downtown area, Exchange District, things like that,” Walker said. “With that, we’ll be able to cover a lot more areas.”

Walker says leaving the North End chapter’s previous space at 584 Selkirk Avenue – they have been there for more than eight years – is a “sore spot” for its members. But he says it’s not the end and the Bear Clan will always have its presence in the north of the city.

“We are an outreach so we do target the community and help out however we can,” said Noah Starr, Bear Clan’s youngest patrol member. “Normally we do it by giving out sandwiches or any food that we can. Say, the community that are out by the river in encampments, we usually try to supply them with either blankets, handwarmers, fresh clothes or anything alike.

“It’s been great seeing my organization move into the space,” added Starr, who joined the patrol Saturday afternoon.

Walker says he’s looking forward to collaborating more with the other grassroots organizations in Winnipeg who also make their home at 190 Disraeli.

“We’ve had nothing but great communication with the different organizations here: the (Downtown Community Safety Partnership), Sabe Peace Walkers and of course Our Relatives’ Place here at 190 Disraeli, N’Dinewaymak.

The organization is still recovering from a series of break-ins, with robbers making away with several items.

“We reached out to the community after we got (broken into) and a lot of different organizations have really come to the forefront,” Walker said. “One of them being Koats for Kids. They were gracious enough to donate us probably a van-load of winter gear and clothing. Just miscellaneous clothing as well for our community members which is a huge help this time of year.”

Meanwhile Mayor Scott Gillingham has led the charge for a large donation coming soon.