(Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Sydney Chisholm

SHELTERS

Amid wet conditions, Kamloops shelters see more demand for clothing

Jan 9, 2023 | 4:04 PM

KAMLOOPS – Temperatures in Kamloops have remained steady around freezing and while it’s not cold enough to open emergency overnight centres, wet conditions have created new challenges for the city’s homeless population, according to local shelters.

“It’s a warming up that happens so quickly, [it] creates a whole other environmental challenge for people who are homeless,” The Loop operator Glenn Hilke sold CFJC News. “You go from freezing cold with ice everywhere to slush and rain and mud, and that combination with still sub-freezing temperatures.“

Despite warmer temperatures compared to last month’s cold snap, Kamloops shelters say they’re seeing more of a need for clothing.

“Folks come in from on the streets, they’ve been in the same clothes for days, and when it gets slushy and wet out, folks are sleeping on the streets,” said George Murphy, Mustard Seed street outreach worker. “Their clothes get wet, they often come here asking for a change of clothes, boots, socks — all those things.”

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Murphy said many people are also asking for lighter clothing due to the warmer temperatures.

“But we tend to warn them that it is still wintertime in Kamloops,” he said. “You know, wait five minutes the weather can change.”

According to Murphy, the need for beds has stayed the same.

“It hasn’t changed a whole lot. We are still full to capacity here at the Seed,” Murphy said. “Our day room is full every day, lots of folks coming in and out.”

The outreach worker said the Mustard Seed is always looking for donations of hats, gloves, socks and boots, especially at this time of year.

According to Hilke, The Loop is currently in the need of backpacks as well as other winter necessities.

“Backpacks are important for people, obviously, because they are carrying all of their personal belongings with them all the time and it’s a struggle for people in the winter to push around a cart or large suitcase,” Hilke said.