Kelowna homeless shelter opens for cold weather

KELOWNA – It’s cold enough overnight for Kelowna’s winter homeless shelter to open its doors for another season.

People started taking advantage of a warm place to sleep at the Inn from the Cold on Sutherland Avenue on Saturday.

“Every winter, Inn from the Cold opens to ensure that no one has to sleep outside,” coordinator Tara Tschriter says. “Providing additional shelter services in Kelowna, we are able to work together with our community partners to ensure no one falls between the cracks and is left out in the cold.”

The minimal barrier shelter has 35 beds open to men, women, transgendered, couples and pets.

Inn from the Cold also has a Free Store.

“Many individuals are accessing our free store to get blankets and warm clothing,” volunteer Val McCullough says.

The charity relies on donations and fundraising so welcomes contributions of time, effort or money.

To apply to be a volunteer, make a donation or fill out an intake form, go to Inn from the Cold website at www.innfromthecoldkelowna.org or phone 250-448-5153.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.