Homeless
HELSTON: A small act of kindness will go a long way this Christmas
I’ll admit it; I tend to get my back up when I'm asked for money. My instinct is to terminate the uncomfortable conversation as quickly as possible with a ‘no, not today’ or some other firm, but polite, way of communicating the cause is not getting my hard earned cash. But I’m going to tell...
Food shortage worries Vernon soup kitchen staff
VERNON - A local agency that helps people in need is reaching out for some community support. Supplies at the Upper Room Mission soup kitchen—which serves around 300 meals a day this time of year—are extremely low. Fundraising director Lisa Anderson says the cupboards are emptier than they’ve been in a very long time. “The...
An Armstrong resident invited a homeless man back home for a shower, meal, and shelter
HERE'S WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY VERNON - A stabbing incident in Armstrong could have been prevented if the assailant had been connected with appropriate support services, according to Vernon’s homeless shelter. Police say the assault happened when a Spallumcheen resident invited a homeless man to his house for a hot shower, a meal,...
Vernon Mayor calls for MP resignation for ‘disturbing’ homelessness comment
VERNON - Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is under fire for ‘disturbing’ comments he made at a recent homelessness event, with Vernon’s mayor suggesting he resign. In what was meant as a solemn dedication by the community to commemorate and recognize some 14 homeless people who have died on Vernon streets in the past two years,...
Cold weather shelter for Kamloops homeless up in air
KAMLOOPS - Homeless people in Kamloops will still have a place to go for a hot meal and a place to sleep on Wednesdays thanks to the Out of the Cold program, but it is unclear at this point if the shelter will be approved as an extreme weather shelter again this year. Extreme weather...
Gospel Mission serving up 800 meals on Thanksgiving
KELOWNA – The majority of people taking advantage of the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Kelowna Gospel Mission on Monday will be the working poor and families, not the homeless. The Mission is gearing up to serve 800 people a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, and of course,...
Soupateria expects 150 for Thanksgiving meal
PENTICTON - The Soupateria will be filled with smells of turkey, pumpkin pie and apple spice as they serve up a Thanksgiving meal this holiday long-weekend. Anyone is welcome to stop by the Soupateria on Monday, Oct. 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (one hour) for a hot, traditional Thanksgiving meal. The Soupateria hosts...
Homeless diners sit down to a delectable lobster meal
KELOWNA - The hungry and homeless of Kelowna recently sat down to plates of fresh, Atlantic lobster at the Kelowna Gospel Mission. The Mission says they were thrilled a courier company thought of them when they had to discard a damaged shipment of lobsters. The lobsters filling two large boxes were broken, but every part...
Cause of Tolko mill fire likely accidental
KELOWNA – A fire that started at Tolko mill Monday evening was likely set accidentally by transients camping in the area. The fire was contained to a pile of sawdust and bark mulch between the mill and Manhattan St., an area Kelowna Fire Capt. Tim Light says is frequented by transients. “We found some home-made...
More rentals available, but at higher cost
KAMLOOPS - A two bedroom rental will cost you an average of $14 per month more than it did a year ago though your chance of finding a rental has increased as well according to the most recent rental report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The spring rental report shows the provincial average declining...
Homeless deaths inspire memorial and call to action
VERNON - This past winter, Chuck Harper drove past a pair of homeless men he knew well from his work at the local shelter. He was aware of their addictions and health troubles. Having panhandled on the streets of Vernon when he was 16, he didn’t judge or look down on them— he called them...
Ashcroft homeless man in stable condition following blast
ASHCROFT – Police say a homeless man injured in an explosion last month is in stable condition. Cecil Macdonald, 71, was involved in the blast after trying to light a cigarette near a leaking propane tank in his tent. He had set up camp near a railway siding owned by Ashcroft Terminal. He was rushed to...
Homeless man from Ashcroft injured in blast, being treated in Vancouver
ASHCROFT – A homeless man is being treated for burns at Vancouver General Hospital after lighting a cigarette near a leaky propane tank around 9:30 a.m. yesterday morning. The 71-year-old was staying in a tent near a railroad siding, owned by Ashcroft Terminal. “He had a propane tank inside the tent that we suspect was...