Low-income seniors can apply for snow removal help

Once again there have been complaints about walls of ice and snow being left at the end of driveways in the city.

As frustrating as it is, there is a local solution available for low-income seniors in need of snow removal through VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) Algoma. 

Mike Nadeau, chief executive officer for the District Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, told SooToday in a recent story that the program has been in place for a number of years, but was originally delivered by the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. 

It’s since been taken over by social services, which contracts the snow removal program out to VON Algoma.

In a recent SooToday story, Nadeau advised the public to contact VON directly to find out more about the program, which has an annual budget of $50,000 that’s earmarked for snow removal. 

“VON handles all the intake, handles any scheduling or eligibility requirements - it’s our area of accountability, but we contract that out to the VON,” he said. 

Historically, anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 is spent on the snow removal service administered by VON Algoma on average each winter.

The phone number for Victorian Order of Nurses Algoma is (705) 942-8200.