Battalion players take turns serving food to North Bay's homeless
When North Bay Battalion hockey players aren't getting ready for a game, you might spot them in The Gathering Place soup kitchen serving hot meals to the city's vulnerable.
"I think it's a nice piece to meet the people of North Bay and get them lunch and it's been super nice to have my teammates here as well," said Battalion forward Dalyn Wakely.
Wakely founded the initiative, which has been dubbed ‘Wake's Sakes.’ He spoke to his billet family and team about wanting to give back to the city, while at the same time bringing awareness to the issues of homelessness in the surrounding area.
Wakely explained his teammates enjoy sitting down and talking with the clients.
"They talk about us a little bit but we get to meet with them and talk to them," said Wakely. "It's a nice give and take."
Every Tuesday for a few hours, Wakely and a few other players get behind the line and serve food during the lunch rush hour.
The soup kitchen is grateful to have a few extra helping hands.
"You hear about young people and they're all entitled and self-absorbed," said Dennis Chippa, The Gathering Place's executive director.
"These guys come in here every single Tuesday to serve and see the population."
When North Bay Battalion hockey players aren't getting ready for a game, you might spot them in The Gathering Place soup kitchen serving hot meals to the city's vulnerable. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
As part of Wake's Sakes, the hockey team holds monthly collection drives. In November, the team and The Gathering Place collected close to 400 gently used winter coats, which were distributed to the city's homeless population.
"It's really about driving not just stuff but the awareness from a group of individuals like the hockey players that we have a vulnerable population here," said Chippa.
"It's been really inspirational."
This month, the team is collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste among other hygiene products.
Wakely said he never thought the idea would be such a success.
"I knew this piece would be great,” he said.
“But I didn't know how much support we'd get from the rest of the community. It's been outstanding.”
Wake's Sakes will run until the regular season ends.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.