By Chad Klassen

Difficult first night for homeless with Stuart Wood closed

Apr 2, 2018 | 5:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — With the winter shelter at Stuart Wood closed, some of the homeless in Kamloops are back to having nowhere to go with the cold weather persisting into April. 

Funding for the shelter ceased as of April 1, on the same day it snowed in many parts of the city. Temperatures continue to dip near the freezing mark and the lack of shelter had much of the homeless population needing socks and blankets last night. 

“There was quite a few people that came in last night, a lot more than we’re used to since Stuart Wood was open,” said New Life outreach worker Jeff Arlitt. “We actually went through quite a few blankets last night, I’d say at least 20 or more blankets.”

In the next couple weeks, as temperatures remain cool overnight, social agencies like New Life Community Kamloops will be seeing more people seeking warmth. 

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“We’re open up later now, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so that’s huge,” said Arlitt. “If we weren’t, I really don’t know what a lot of these people would be doing. So they can at least stay warmer for a lot longer. Personally, they just need bigger shelters here.”