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October 02, 2015 - 11:34 AM
KAMLOOPS - Since the season changed, so have the temperatures, but for the New Life Mission in Kamloops it’s still business as usual.
Stan Dueck, the centre’s executive director says the effort to help out the homeless has increased since the centre’s hours were extended to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
“We want to expand our services wherever we can,” he says. “We are expecting a busy busy winter."
With that expectation in mind, staff at the centre are hoping to receive warmer clothes, blankets and warm socks in the coming weeks for people accessing the centre.
“It doesn’t have to be freezing to make it hard for people to sleep," he says. "Even if you have a blanket, it’s still going to be cold. The number (of people) is still going to go up.”
Dueck says staff is also working to prepare for this year’s thanksgiving dinner to be hosted at the centre’s downtown location on Monday, Oct. 12. Food costs have nearly doubled since the hours at the location were extended.
Along with food, clothing and a warm place to stop in, the mission began having social activities on Friday nights where people can play board games or bingo and have either coffee and dessert, or nachos depending on the week. On Monday nights, Domino’s pizza donates a free meal.
“We’d like to expand that,” Dueck says. “It’s a matter of getting different organizations (to help)."
To donate food or clothing to help out those who access the New Life Mission, drop off is located at 181 West Victoria Street. If you would like to make a financial donation, the head office is at 346 Seymour Street.
In addition, staff at ASK Wellness are seeking volunteers to take part in this year's homeless count. The information and training session is on Friday, Oct. 2 or Friday, Oct. 9. Both sessions begin at 5 p.m. at the ASK Wellness location on 433 Tranquille Rd.
The count will take place on Friday, Oct. 16, starting at 7:30 a.m.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015