THUNDER BAY -- Organizations that help to shelter and feed the homeless and other less fortunate members of the community are noticing an increase in traffic during Thunder Bay's recent cold snap.
Grace Place on Simpson Street runs a pilot program that provides overnight accommodation during the winter months.
The manager of the Out Of The Cold program, Melody Macsemchuk, says the capacity is 10 mats, but Grace Place has had up to 13 mats in use on some nights.
"We have a compassionate care clause where we can do that," Macsemchuk said in an interview on Monday.
She said the staff work hard to help everyone but there have been occasions when the capacity didn't permit that.
"We try all kinds of avenues. The (Shelter House) SOS vehicle will transport them. But we try very hard not to turn anyone away."
She said clients are also being provided with appropriate clothing such as warm coats, hats and mitts, thanks to donations from the public.
Macsemchuk said Grace Place works closely with organizations such as Shelter House and the Salvation Army, adding that "it's important that all these organizations work together to make our community safe."
In addition to its men's hostel on North Cumberland Street, the Salvation Army operates a soup van that makes stops in both the north and south ends of Thunder Bay.
Major Lori Mitchell said that service has seen an increase in volume during the cold spell.
At Wilson Park on the north side, 40 to 50 people typically show up to get a warm meal, while at Minnesota Park on the south side, the number is fluctuating between 30 and 60.
Soup van clients are also provided with warm clothing if they require it.
Mitchell noted that clients at the hostel sometimes require rides to appointments, and Salvation Army staff try to provide that service in cold weather when it's feasible to do so.
