Parkview Church helps to fills the gaps when needy find places to live

Four walls can provide shelter, but it’s what’s inside them that make a home, according to Rev. Jon Huxtable.

That’s why the Compassion Ministries program at Parkview Church — where Huxtable is pastor — has been collecting appliances, furniture and household items to give to those in need for the past 12 years.

Most of their clients come from women’s shelters, are newcomers to Canada or lowincome earners in crisis or transition who have found a place to live but need help furnishing it, he said.

“They don’t have funds to fill it up and make it a home,” Huxtable said. “That’s where we come in.”

Refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers are among the appliances collected at the church’s location at 1120 West 5th St. Appliances must be in working condition and not more than seven years old.

Donations of beds, couches, tables, chairs, pots and pans, dishes, lamps and linens are also accepted, along with clothing for men, women and children.

Compassion Ministries started with only clothing. But a week after a woman was given clothes, she called back, wondering if they could help furnish her home, Huxtable said.

“‘We’re sitting on the floor,’” he recalled her saying.

“‘I’ve got a 13-inch TV. I’ve got a plate and a spoon. I don’t have anything.’”

When the program started, the church would often have five of each appliance on hand, but over the years, those numbers have dwindled, Huxtable said.

“Instead of getting a fridge or two every week … we now get a fridge every month.”

Because the program is volunteer-run, no one is available to make deliveries or do pickups.

Donations can be dropped off at the church Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or left on the front porch after hours.

For more information, contact Huxtable at 905-536-7457 or visit parkviewchurchhamilton.ca.