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With the low temperatures we've been experiencing in recent days, no-one should have to spend a night out in the cold. That's why when an emergency call went out, Kelowna's Metro Community stepped-up. The former food bank building on Ellis is under renovation by the church. They agreed to set aside an area that is now providing a warm refuge for those who have no-where else to go.
"We needed a solution," said Dawn Himer of the John Howard Society in Kelowna, "for a group of folks who could otherwise have frozen to death." The society is operating the temporary facility with funding from BC Housing and the church is providing the space. The Kelowna Gospel Mission chipped-in with some bedding. "Everyone saw a need and we responded to the need."
Along with a place to sleep, the facility also offers washrooms, laundry facilities, snacks, warm drinks and community services. A minimum of two staff members will be on site at all times.
It's all good news for people like Frank Paschke who will be sleeping there tonight. He said it's been very difficult lately. "I've been surviving," he said. "I've been living under a bridge. I have a couple of blankets."
When the emergency call went out last Friday, it was Metro Community that stepped forward. Unlike some shelters, this one doesn't tolerate drugs.
Lead Pastor Laurence East said other facilities were already at capacity when the temperatures started to plunge. "When the cold snap hit last week, we knew that we had a major problem on our hands," said East. "We are seeing people literally walking the streets all night, unable to even stand still because of the freezing temperatures which is life-threatening."
The Metro Community Church was in the middle of a renovation of the former food bank building when this came about. "It's going to put our renovations back, but who cares?" said East. "This is about saving lives."
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