Local
Inn from the Cold braces for cold nights
By Ron Seymour
Monday, December 7, 2009

A service that provides a warm place for homeless people to sleep during cold winter nights needs at least $20,000 to make it through its planned operating season.
The Inn from the Cold program started the winter with unexpected expenses related to upgrading its 35-bed shelter near downtown Kelowna.
“Because of the renovation we had to do, we‘re looking for about $40,000 to get us through to the end of March. We‘ve got promises from various sources for about half of that,” Mark Dixon, a spokesman for the non-profit society who‘s involved with fundraising efforts, said Sunday.
With overnight temperatures forecast to reach near – 20 C tonight and Tuesday, it‘s expected the shelter will be full to capacity.
“November started slow because the weather was so mild, but we‘ve gotten busier over the last few days,” Dixon said.
Even if more than 35 homeless people were to show up at the shelter, space would be found for everyone, he said.
“We work closely with the Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army. Somewhere in Kelowna, we‘ll find space for anyone who wants a warm bed,” Dixon said.
Last year, there were more than 1,700 overnight stays at the Inn from the Cold co-ed shelter, which operated for 83 nights. The group has more than 100 volunteers, most from local churches.
It‘s considered a low-barrier form of shelter in that it‘s open to people who may have used drugs or alcohol earlier in the evening. Its basic rule is that guests must treat others with respect and not abuse shelter facilities.
The non-profit society, which has a few paid, part-time staff, had to make modifications to the shelter to comply with various health and fire safety regulations before opening on Nov. 1.
“The shelter is clean and safe, but pretty basic,” society president Tyler Gingrich said. “There are beds, some DVDs, books, and places where people can sit and visit.”
People are admitted to the shelter in the early evening, and usually outside again by mid-morning. To donate or volunteer, see www.innfromthecoldkelowna.org