The Downtown Barrie BIA is helping to put food on the table for homeless youth in the city.
Craig Stevens, managing director of the Downtown Barrie Business Association presented a $250 cheque on Monday to Youth Haven executive director Nathan Sykes.
The money was raised at the Hot Cocoa Trail event during Barrie's Winterfest in February. The trail led participants to 14 downtown cafes and food locations where unique and creative hot beverages were available.
Each location also accepted donations for Youth Haven.
"This money will be put to good use," Sykes said, "whether that is feeding a youth or something else that we need."
There are no shortage of needs this year, despite the warmer than average winter.
Youth Haven is the only shelter for youth aged 15 to 21 in the area and demand continues to climb.
"I wish we could say numbers were down, but they aren't," Sykes said. "Our numbers just keep going up and up."
Youth Haven provides emergency shelter for young people all year round. There are 20 short-term and five transitional beds.
When a kid arrives at the door, it is sometimes the first time they have left home and Sykes said they need more than a warm bed and food.
"We are very fortunate every year to receive donations from the business community like this one," he said.
