Winter’s cold weather has pushed the Thunder Bay Rotary Shelter House close to its limits.
More people are making their way to the shelter house for a warm bed and hot meal. But since the temperatures dropped below freezing, the shelter house on George Street has reached capacity several times.
Shelter house executive director Cal Rankin said they have about 62 beds, but with the influx of people they have had to make other arrangements.
They put out mattresses out in the lobby to accommodate everyone.
“The staff has been instructed to offer everyone that comes to the door a place to stay even if they are coming just for a sandwich,” Rankin said.
“We try to be as welcoming as we can to ensure everyone’s safety. We’re close to capacity here but we walk the perimeter of our property, which is almost the whole block to ensure that there’s no one laying or fallen asleep in the alley. With the cold weather we always see an increase.”
Rankin said they try not to send anyone away and if they do, they always direct them to another organization such as the Salvation Army. In some cases, such as a single mother they send the person to a hotel for the night. Rankin said Ontario Works covers the cost of the hotel stay.
Rankin added it’s much easier to accommodate people’s needs at the shelter because hotels don’t provide any food.
The shelter house, which receives funding from Ontario Works and through donations, has hit a 40 per cent short fall this year. Rankin said they are trying to raise as much as possible through the Christmas campaign as well as the relay for shelter.
He said people can donate at the shelter house website.
