​Bruce County Outreach to connect people with supports and services

Bruce County Outreach is a new resource now being offered across the county to provide people with knowledge and awareness of services and supports in their communities, and connect them with these supports and services.

In Kincardine, the outreach will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, from Noon to 2 p.m., immediately after the Good Food Box pick-up, at Knox Presbyterian Church, beginning July 25.

Organizations and services available at the outreach may include all or any of the following: Bruce County Housing; YMCA Housing Services; Bruce County Paramedic Services; Grey Bruce Public Health; Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce; VPI Employment Solutions; Bruce County Ontario Works; United Way of Grey Bruce; Salvation Army Owen Sound - Saugeen Shores.

No registration is needed to access this help. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis.



Meanwhile, people in the Kincardine community continue to struggle to make ends meet. Statistics from the Good Food Box program show that 407 free boxes of produce were distributed from January to June this year, compared to 298 across the same period in 2023.

While the Kincardine Food Bank and the Good Food Box program provide food support, for young people returning to school, there is support available.

Knox Church in Kincardine is, once again, providing a Kids Clothing Drive, accepting clothing during July and August, with free distribution Aug. 15-16.

Drop off clean children’s clothing in a good state of repair, at the church, 345 Durham Street, Kincardine, Thursdays, July 11 to Aug. 8, from 6:30-8 p.m.; and Saturdays, July 13 to Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free distribution will be held at the church, Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6-8 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also, calling 211 connects families with United Way of Bruce Grey’s free, fully-stocked backpack program. For the convenience of parents, pre-ordered backpacks will be available for pick-up at the Kids Clothing distribution in August. Orders received after that date, can be picked up during the Aug. 22 Good Food Box pick-up at Knox Church.

211 is the free and confidential phone helpline that easily connects people with the social services, programs and community supports they need, so is useful for a myriad of queries, as well as ordering backpacks.

Note: Backpacks requested through Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Community Living or Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey, will be available through those organizations.