Media Alert - 1 pack day = 3000 lives saved!

TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - On Saturday, January 18^th, 2014, over 150 concerned citizens and corporate volunteers will join forces at The Bargains Group in Toronto to pack 3,000 winter survival kits for the homeless and those at risk of being homeless across the GTA and surrounding areas during the 15^th Annual Project Winter Survival, an Engage and Change initiative designed to foster good citizenship and encourage healthy communities by giving back: 11 am; The Bargains Group; 890 Caledonia Road, Toronto.

Barely a few weeks into winter and already extreme weather conditions have cost the life of a homeless man and continue to threaten those in need with death by exposure to the elements. Project Winter Survival provides essential life saving kits to help those less fortunate endure the extreme hardships of winter, including such 'necessities for the needy' as: sleeping bags, blankets, winter hats and gloves, bottled water, healthy snacks, and lip balm, etc. Subsequently, on Saturday, January 25, the kits will be picked up from Project Winter Survival headquarters at 890 Caledonia Road and distributed through more than 200 front-line agencies.

Over the past 14 years, Project Winter Survival has packed and distributed 18,000 survival kits through social service agencies, homeless shelters and outreach providers.  The project relies solely on corporate and community donations to meet the growing demands of relief agencies and shelters across the GTA. "The growing demand for the kits far exceeds the number of survival kits that we can fund," said Jody Steinhauer, Project Winter Survival founder. "This year alone, with the brutal cold snap, the request for kits is up 20% over the 11,000 kits requested in 2013. Project Winter Survival has become a lifeline of hope for the many agencies responsible for providing warmth and shelter to those in need. Every kit packed is potentially another life saved."

When: Saturday, January 18, 2014

Time: 11 am

Where: The Bargains Group Ltd., 890 Caledonia Rd, Toronto

What: Over 150 volunteers to package 3,000 Project Winter Survival Kits for distribution to the homeless and those at risk of being homeless across the GTA and surrounding communities

Photo-op: 11 am - Approximately 150 volunteers will package 30+ life saving items into Winter Survival Kits

SOURCE: Project Winter Survival

RSVP: Francisca Gambino, francis G communications, 416-432-4599 or [email protected]