By Adam Donnelly

Out of the Heat program kicks off in Kamloops

Jul 2, 2018 | 3:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — While we’ve experienced a mixed bag in the weather department so far this summer, at times Kamloops can be one of the hottest cities in the country. And with the recent point-in-time homeless count revealing there are nearly 190 homeless individuals living throughout the city, St Paul’s Anglican Church has adapted the “Out of the Cold” program to help those in need during the summer.

“Out of the Heat” began operating out of the basement of St Paul’s Cathedral today, and will run Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer. The program will offer meals, activities and a cool place to rest for those who don’t have anywhere else to go during the heat of the day.

“We all know Kamloops, and it can get pretty darn hot out there,” Renee Stein, program coordinator for Out of the Heat said. “If you don’t have access to water and shelter, that can become an emergency situation, so it;s great to be able to offer one more place where people can feel comfortable to come.”

Stein says a number of Kamloops businesses and organizations have stepped up to make Out of the Heat possible, but adds there are some things the program is in need of.

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“We’ve been really blessed. We’ve got some great partner agencies. Save On Foods has come right alongside of us to offer some food donations, and the Food Bank and Salvation Army have been incredible once again,” Stein told CFJC Today.

When it comes to items the program needs, Stein said they could use some summer clothes.

“If anyone has some gently used summer clothing [for] men and women… shoes, hats, bags are always great,” she said. “As we’re a winter shelter we have oodles of toques and scarves, but we don’t have anything for the summer.”