Shelters working to help homeless ‘so nobody is left out in the cold’

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This article was published 25/12/2017 (3040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local shelters are scouring the streets to make sure no one is left out in the cold.

As a result of an extreme weather warning issued Monday by Environment Canada, the Salvation Army, the Bear Clan Patrol and the Main Street Project will have vehicles patrolling the city at different times, handing out warm clothing and food, and shuttling homeless people to shelters.

Bitterly cold temperatures in southern Manitoba will continue throughout Boxing Day and beyond, according to Environment Canada. Below-average temperatures can be dangerous, and homeless people — especially those outside at night — are more susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia as a result of the cold.

Overnight lows are dipping to near or below -40 C, with daytime highs in the -25 C range. In addition, extreme wind chill can make it feel like -45 C, Environment Canada said.

This Arctic air mass will be with us for the next five to eight days.

The Bear Clan Patrol is out every evening handing out care packages containing food, hygiene products, warm clothing and blankets, and directing people to shelters. The Salvation Army shuttle joins them most evenings from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The Main Street Project will have its outreach van on the road every day from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m., beginning Jan. 15.

“Overnight, we find, is the most tumultuous time, but the three shelters have a wonderful co-ordinated access plan, so that nobody is left out in the cold,” said Adrienne Dudek, director of the Main Street Project.

Typically, when someone is picked up by a shuttle, they are taken to the Salvation Army, Bear Clan Patrol founder James Favel said.

However, when the Free Press contacted the shelter Monday, they said they were already beyond their maximum capacity. Both the shelter and Favel made assurances they do not turn anyone away because of the cold, even if it does result in cramped quarters.

If the shelter is full, they’ll try the Siloam Mission or the Main Street Project, Favel said, noting, those shelters are most likely at capacity at this time of year, too.

kiera.kowalski@freepress.mb.ca