Kelowna News

In the midst of the first major cold snap of the season, local organizations are bracing for the inevitable impact the cold will have on the Valley's most vulnerable.

Inn From the Cold spokesperson, Tara Tschritter, says the shelter has been near capacity for the past few nights and expects to reach full capacity Monday night.

"We've just been at capacity, you know, 33 or 34 beds filled," says Tschritter of the 35-bed facility. "But everything's been running just great here."

Selena Stearns at the Kelowna Drop-In Centre says the cold weather has kept things steady.

"We have a lot of cold people coming in," says Stearns, adding the Drop-In Centre has been open on Saturdays as well for the past few weeks.

Stearns says she hopes to open the doors on Sundays if she can get her pool of volunteers together.

"Mostly we're a place for people to warm up and play a game or watch a movie."

Randy Benson of the Kelowna Gospel Mission says the Mission is busy but not over-capacity.

"We've been pretty steady at about 60 to 80 people per night," says Benson. "Unless there's a big influx, it should remain about the same."

RCMP say they're prepared to help people find shelter in co-ordination with local groups.

There are 157 beds in shelters including Inn at the Cold and the Kelowna Gospel Mission. The Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army are prepared to add up to an additional 60 mats if needed over the next several nights.

Constable Steve Holmes says they are prepared to use the new emergency measures protocol legislation if necessary, but says that in the past, most people have sought shelter on their own and will likely continue to do so.

How you can help

Inn From the Cold is asking for monetary donations to help cover renovations done to the building this year to bring it up to code. The shelter, located at 1157 Sutherland Avenue, also takes toiletry, bedding and warm clothing donations, but they ask that people call the shelter first at (250) 448-6403 to see what they need as they have little storage space.

The Kelowna Drop-In Centre is in desperate need of warm winter clothing, including toques, mitts, boots, gloves, jackets and scarves. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the centre at 467 Leon Street. The Centre is also facing a $100,000 budgetary shortfall due to funding cuts.

The Kelowna Gospel Mission is also looking for donations of warm clothing, especially socks and men's long underwear. Non-perishable food donations are also wanted and appreciated. People can check out www.kelownachristmas.com for more ideas on how to help.