Trail’s homeless shelter is looking to send those who spend the night off in warm clothing and a connection to needed resources.
The La Nina Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter in the basement of the Salvation Army Church in East Trail is asking the community to clear out their closets and donate extra winter clothing.
“Not everyone is prepared for the extreme temperatures that we have and not everybody has the winter wear to face this weather,” said coordinator Marjie Hills.
Ideally, the shelter would like to offer its users a coat if they’re not dressed suitably along with a chance to connect with an outreach worker, who just started on late last month.
“Part of our issue, of course, is that location is not really ideal in the sense the Salvation Army uses it during the day so we have to pack up and move out at 8 a.m.,” Hills explained.
But the addition of an outreach worker will allow the adhoc committee to connect those who spend the night to essentials like food, medical care and income assistance.
Pam Forrest will arrive on scene every morning to pick up individuals interested in chatting over a cup of coffee.
“When you’re down to the ground and you don’t have a home, you don’t have a base, if you can have somebody that can step in and give you the extra hand in whatever direction that might take you to, it’s going to make a difference,” said Hills.
While the shelter is only in its second year of operation, it’s moving in a positive direction.
This year the committee secured over $55,000 from BC Housing to keep the shelter open from 9 p.m. to 8 .am. until March 31.
Those interested in donating coats, tuques, gloves, scarves or other warm clothing are encouraged to drop their goods off at the Salvation Army thrift store in Trail.