FILE PHOTO - Kelowna's Gospel Mission
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
April 17, 2022 - 9:03 AM
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission annual Easter dinner was smaller this year as the shelter is no longer a drop-in centre.
Prior to the pandemic, the homeless shelter would hold a special Easter meal at its location on Leon Avenue, feeding up to 700 people. As they've transitioned to a men’s only shelter and no longer have a drop-in, executive director Carmen Rempel said this year the event wasn't open to the general public.
A turkey lunch was served at the Gospel Mission and a dinner was also served at the shelter on Doyle Avenue, April 16. Outreach workers also took meals to those on the streets. About 400 meals have been served, which takes weeks of preparation, she said.
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They have no plans to reopen the Gospel Mission as a drop-in centre for the general public as things are calmer now and shelter residents are able to stabilize their mental health and find housing, she said.
"We don’t want to sacrifice the stability and the atmosphere we’ve been able to create with our residents,” Rempel said.
Many individuals in the shelter have different health challenges, so she’s not ready to invite people yet but in the future they plan to reopen their special events again to the general public.
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“Easter is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year as well,” she said. Donations are being accepted through the Gospel Mission’s website.
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