Square One Community, Inc.'s second annual Empty Bowls fundraiser raised a total of $9,020 to support the non-profit's mission of advocating for Moose Jaw's unhoused and, eventually, opening a sustainably funded warming/cooling space and women's overnight shelter.
Della Ferguson, president of Square One, said during the Empty Bowls event on Nov. 17 that support from Moose Jaw and surrounding areas was not just consistent, but increasing. The first Empty Bowls event raised $5,600, and Square One is "full of gratitude" to see that amount not just matched, but exceeded.
"I think we saw today that support for our mission continues to grow," Ferguson told MooseJawToday.com. She noted that along with filling the 200 seats at the St. Andrew's United Church social hall, they sold 151 meal tickets, 1,369 raffle tickets, received over $1,200 from the sale of donated silent auction items, and were gifted an additional $2,426 in donations.
Earlier this year, in partnership with the Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Square One acquired the historic 'Old Firehall' (William Milne Place) at 132 Fairford St. W. The move raised hopes that the organization might soon realize its long-held goal to operate a warming and cooling space alongside the city's first dedicated women's overnight shelter.
However, Square One immediately hit the red tape of high requirements for safety, supervision, training, renovation, and more. Ferguson has said that operating the space as intended for a single season would cost in excess of $100,000. Community support has provided the space at William Milne, she explained, but adequate, sustainable operational funding is required to advance the project further.
"We know that folks have questions," Ferguson said at Empty Bowls. "They see us in the community and then they don't see us going operational. ... I'll tell you, if I could wave a magic wand that would get us up and running, I would have done it two years ago. But there is no magic wand, and every one of us on the board is so aware of the complexities, and we continue to work through them."
The continuing community support demonstrated by fundraiser success, including independent fundraisers by businesses like The Light Yoga & Wholeness Studio, gives Square One Board that their mission to raise awareness is succeeding, and that their mission to provide shelter will come to fruition.
Learn more at www.squareonehousingmoosejaw.com. The next Square One event is the second annual Walk for Warmth, confirmed for March 14, 2024.
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