The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter is putting a plan in place to help the homeless during the extreme cold.
Executive Director Heather Gray says they keep the plan in place for times like the end of December and the beginning of January, where Lloydminster saw temperatures below minus 40 over several days.
“If we get to minus 20 we let the residents come back in at 1 o’clock. When it reaches minus 25 or more then we arrange for more staffing and we operate all day long.”
The homeless in Lloydminster face challenges as temperatures plummet, running the risk of hypothermia and frostbite due to exposure. Gray says that donations from the community help them prepare to combat this.
“During the Winter we get a lot of donations of clothing, hats, mitts and gloves. Those types of items we make sure that, oh and socks, warm socks. We always make sure that those are on hand so that we can give them out on an as needed basis.”
Gray adds that food, blankets and monetary funds are all welcomed. Donations can be dropped off at The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter.
Story by Ezzah Bashir.