Seasonal Concerns

The Leader-Post
Memory McLeod

Saturday, November 25, 2006

With cold weather in the forecast, the city's charities are working hard to keep up with increasing demand for shelter, hot meals and warm clothing.

"People are looking for somewhere warm to go and hang out with friends," Aaron Cross, a cook at Souls Harbour Mission, said Friday.

"In the summer they can go to the parks or other outdoor spaces, but in winter they come here."

Cross added that while soup kitchens are busy year-round, things do pick up in the winter, because that's when people will come in to the Mission to get out of the cold and will stay for supper.

Beds at the Regina Rescue Mission which were mostly empty are now filling up fast since the temperature started dropping earlier in the week.

The Mission's Associate Director, Michelle Porter, said she didn't originally attribute the influx of boarders to the weather, but said it makes sense.

Food is not the only concern, but cold-weather care packages containing warm coats, mitts, hats and boots are also needed to fight off the chill.

The Souls Harbour Mission collects and disperses warm clothing as well; it can be picked up at its free store.


© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2006