Operation Heatwave launched to help homeless

With temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees this coming week, many people will be able to use fans or air conditioning to stay cool inside. But the population experiencing homelessness may not have a cool place to go to escape the potentially life threatening heat.

In response to the heatwave, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission will use its three outreach vehicles during the day over the next week to ensure no one is in distress due to heatstroke, dehydration, and sunburn.

Emergency Shelter Director Karl Heinitz said the mission is responding with ‘Operation Heatwave.’

“If you live in a tent, under a tree, on a park bench or hidden away, life becomes even more harsh during a heatwave. To bring help and hope to people facing the challenges of homelessness, three of our visibly marked outreach vehicles, will start Operation Heatwave. Our staff and volunteers will search, find, and serve our most vulnerable community members with a bottle of cold water, a hat, sunscreen as well as a vehicle to cool down in. This is going beyond the three meals that we deliver daily to the vulnerable people of Kelowna,” Heinitz said.

As well as serving three meals everyday, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission has a total of 110 emergency shelter beds for men and women, showers, laundry, and four transitional homes for women. Their Thrift Store, at 125 Roxby Road, provides items to people in need as well as helps to fund the shelter programs.

Two local churches, Kelowna’s Gospel Fellowship and Emmanuel Church, have already stepped up to support Operation Heatwave, donating $500 worth of water each. Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is grateful to the community for continuing support.

To help support Operation Heatwave go to www.kelownagospelmission.ca