What Susan Chuipka ate for lunch

When you're the newly hired executive director of Vincent Place Men's Shelter, one of the first things they make you do is go googly-eyed for the photographer with a stack of pancakes to promote the start of your first Lenten Food Drive.

Susan Chuipka, who's worked in social services for 16 years all along the North Shore, was introduced at a kick-off event this morning at Vincent Place.

The shelter, operated by the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, is located at 222 Albert Street East, the former home of the Teen Centre

Today, they held a pancake lunch there.

The food drive runs until April 10 and is intended to collect food items and cash to support Vincent Place's evening food bank, soup kitchen, and meals served daily to residents.

Vincent Place is happy to pick up donations and they'll also supply Vinnie Food bins to any school or business.

Vincent Place's food bank opened in December.

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul recently opened a Thrift Store at 322 Cathcart Street.

The Men's Shelter is due to open in March and interviews for full and part-time positions starts this week.

Susan Chuipka lives on St. Joseph Island, where her place is considered one of Algoma's best locations for watching birds.

City Council endorses homeless initiative

Last night, City Council approved an update to the City's homelessness plan, allowing access to $417,350 in federal funding.

Priorities identified in the plan include the following:

- food banks, evenings and weekends - supporting housing for mentally ill - grants for setting up residence including furniture - communication, co-ordination and capacity building - community awareness - research - long-term supportive housing for youth, for those with mental health issues and those requiring a room and board