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Cooler November weather and tough economic times for some are driving more people to use services at Vernon's Upper Room Mission.
Lisa Anderson, the Mission's director of resource development, reports the Mission is serving 300 to 350 meals a day, although that number sometimes climbs to 400. Those numbers are even higher than last year when the average was 300 meals in a day.
“Unfortunately we don't have any extra space in our dining room to put any extra tables,” said Anderson.
Anderson did not say if the closure of two homeless camps last week had made a difference in the numbers using the Mission. However, she acknowledged that more people have been accessing the “day shelter” as well as using drop-in services between meal times.
“The day shelter seems to be busier now that the weather is getting colder. We have different programs that run and are offered during the day. Right now we are running a painting class downstairs in the women's centre. We also supply decks of cards, so people can come in and get out of the cold (and) share fellowship with others.”
The Upper Room Mission is open Monday to Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m. with meals served at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Anderson said people do not have to register to access either services or meals. The Mission also has day-old produce and bread that can be taken home.
