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Upper Room Mission
Homeless community in Okanagan, Kamloops won’t go without Christmas dinner
Thanks to multiple charities across the Okanagan and Kamloops, hundreds of residents who remain unhoused…
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission shutters temporarily
Citing financial stress, the Upper Room Mission is closing its doors, laying off all its…
Upper Room Mission hires new executive director who is ready to listen
VERNON – Vernon's Upper Room Mission Society has a new executive director. With over two…
‘People in places in time:’ A Vernon artist’s intimate portrayal of street life
VERNON – Peter doesn’t have much: a van, a plastic cooler, poster paper, pencils. The…
Guess who’s coming for lunch: Research study looks at those using Vernon soup kitchen
VERNON – Assumptions are sometimes made about those who rely on services like soup kitchens,…
‘This isn’t a proud situation for us’: Polson Park camper explains difficulties of new Vernon bylaw
“THE BYLAW MAKES COMPLETE SENSE TO PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIVE IN A PARK” VERNON –…
Friends and family shocked by suspicious death of Vernon man
VERNON – Family members have identified the victim of a suspicious death earlier this week…
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission needs your help stockpiling 250 pairs of underwear
VERNON – It’s a basic necessity most of us take for granted: underwear. The Upper…
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission to stay open later
VERNON – Those in need of a meal or simply a place to come in…
Vernon School District using community work to help kids, says punishment is not the answer
“IT’S NOT ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE SUSPENDED FOR, IT’S THE STORY UNDERNEATH” VERNON – It…
‘You get used to it:’ Reversing overdoses becoming routine at Vernon non-profit
VERNON – The first time she had to grab a naloxone kit to revive someone…
No supper at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission due to pepper spray incident
VERNON – The Upper Room Mission was forced to evacuate today after someone discharged pepper…
Local group wants to buy storage sheds where Vernon homeless can store belongings
VERNON – A local organization is hoping to fill a big need in the community…
Vernon soup kitchen sees dramatic upswing in demand
VERNON – A non-profit organization that provides meals, shelter and support to those in need…
Okanagan residents line up at the soup kitchen, not the grocery store, as food costs climb
OKANAGAN – Rising food costs are proving tough to swallow for many Okanagan residents. Higher…
Homey and welcoming, Charlotte’s Place fills a big need for marginalized women in Vernon
VERNON – Marginalized women looking for a safe place to go during the day can…
Extra special Christmas gift for Vernon’s Upper Room Mission
VERNON - Christmas came early to Vernon’s local soup kitchen. Thanks to two local businesses, the Upper Room Mission’s regular volunteers will get Christmas Eve off. Rob and Lisa Ellis, owners of Rellish Transport Services, along with Jim Tennant of Save-On-Foods, stepped up to the plate and are sponsoring the Mission’s annual Christmas Eve dinner,...
Vernon soup kitchen sees record-breaking use of services
VERNON - A Vernon soup kitchen says it has a record number of mouths to feed, in part due to a dramatic increase in the number of families with children in need of a meal. Last year at this time, the Upper Room Mission was serving roughly 250 meals a day. That number has now...
Back home and back to business for Vernon’s Upper Room Mission
VERNON - The door is once again open at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission. The soup kitchen served lunch in its dining hall for the first time in two months today, Jan. 26, and communications manager Lisa Anderson says it’s good to be home. “This is where our clients feel most comfortable coming in out of...
Upper Room Mission back in business
VERNON – Almost 8 weeks after a devastating flood closed the doors at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission, the facility reopens Monday, Jan. 26. A pipe burst on the top floor of the soup kitchen on 27 Avenue Dec. 2, setting off the sprinkler system and doing major damage. “Our first meal will be served at...
Good news brightens holidays for Vernon’s Upper Room Mission
VERNON - Christmas came early to the Upper Room Mission with an okay from Interior Health to re-open its kitchen facilities. The kitchen was shut down after flooding damaged the building and contaminated food Dec. 2. The soup kitchen has been serving meals out of the People Place and relying on generous community businesses and...
Temporary food services set up after flood at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission
VERNON - The community is making sure no one goes hungry in the coming weeks while damages are repaired at the Upper Room Mission. Fundraising director Lisa Anderson says it could take 6-8 weeks before repairs are complete. The 27 Avenue soup kitchen flooded earlier this week after a pipe burst and triggered the sprinkler...
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission closed until further notice
VERNON - Major flooding has forced the Upper Room Mission to close until further notice, and that’s creating a lot of uncertainty for hundreds of people who visit the soup kitchen daily. A pipe burst on the top floor of the 27 Avenue soup kitchen Monday around 10 p.m. and set off the facility’s sprinkler...
Mouth watering three-course meal surprises Vernon homeless
VERNON - With an hour to go before doors open, Chef Vincent Van Wieringen gives the sous-chefs and servers a final pep talk: be light with the drizzle of demi-glace on the braised beef, don’t let a water glass go unfilled, and do not, repeat not, drop a plate. Tablecloths have been smoothed, cutlery laid...