City’s binner community in need of warm clothing

As Vancouver’s weather turns frosty, the need for warm clothing becomes more urgent among Vancouver’s homeless and binners.

Vancouver Regional Recycling, SPUD.ca, the Binner’s Project and Working Gear have again teamed up to collect clothing donations at the Vancouver recycling depot at 960 Evans Ave. from now until Dec. 15.

SPUD.ca’s weekly bin program will also be accepting donations.

Throughout the Gift of Warm event, binners, people who make their living from pulling recyclable materials from the garbage and returning them for deposit refunds, will have the opportunity to find winter items.

Vancouver Regional Recycling general manager Jason Smith said in a statement that many binners are from at-risk populations and often the money they make from returning beverage containers doesn’t cover their basic necessities.

He said donation items still needed include new adult socks and underwear, gently used adult winter wear such as sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, outerwear and footwear.

They are also accepting outdoor gear such as tents, tarps, blankets and sleeping bags.