Cold weather raises need for winter clothing

With the early onset of winter, efforts to help those left out on the cold have taken on new urgency.

Kelowna’s community partners and neighbours are continuing to look at ways to solve homelessness, but the most pressing and urgent need right now are donations for winter clothes such as; sleeping bags, warm blankets, winter boots, hats, mittens, scarfs, and men’s jackets.

“Temperatures have dropped and we are faced with an unprecedented number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness,” said Sue Wheeler, the City of Kelowna’s Social Development Manager.

“Kelowna’s community spirit has been on display as we all come together to pool our strengths and resources. While the work continues to find shelter and housing solutions, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, along with the Canadian Mental Health Association and many other local partners have gone above and beyond to source mitts, toques and other cold weather supplies to help people stay warm,” Wheeler added.

This week, the Gospel Mission donated several boxes of warm clothing to the city and shelters.

“Kelowna’s Gospel Mission has emptied their thrift store and worked with City Bylaw Services, RCMP, and the Kelowna Fire Department to distribute those items,” Wheeler stated. “It’s going to take the entire community to address the urgent needs, and we encourage community members to donate any warm clothing and blankets they have available.”

The City of Kelowna, CMHA, and Kelowna’s Gospel Mission are working together to provide warmth to those living on Kelowna’s streets while also supporting shelter needs.

“The immense challenge of finding permanent solutions to end human suffering on the streets of Kelowna can be brutal and discouraging,” Carmen Rempel, executive director of the Gospel Mission, said.

“It’s partnerships like these that bring us moments of joy and hope as we come together as different agencies to meet the immediate and urgent needs of people sheltering outside during this extreme weather. This will not end homelessness and the work to find permanent solutions needs to continue, however, we are delighted and grateful for our partners who are with us serving side by side to care for our unhoused neighbors.”

The drop off location for warm clothing donations is at the Gospel Mission Thrift Store, 125 Roxby Road in Kelowna.

For more information visit their website www.kelownagospelmission.ca/donate or call (250) 763-3737.