(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Extreme cold

Dangerous situation for homeless as deep freeze continues in Melfort

Feb 8, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The extreme cold can be a deadly situation for those who don’t have homes, and no cold weather shelters to turn to in the northeast.

Without an escape from the extreme cold temperatures, homeless in the area find themselves even more vulnerable.

The Marguerite Riel Centre in Melfort has a variety of programs and activities to help out those in the area that are homeless, according to Director of Operations, Joanne Yakowec.

In the winter time, the staff at the centre tend to hear of and see a lot of “couch surfing.”

“Staying from friend to friend, sleeping in abandoned buildings, and old campers,” Yakowec said. “In the summer, it is more in tents, bushes, parks, and behind garbage dumpsters.”

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Although it may not be clearly visible, there are a surprising number of individuals in the area that are homeless.

“In the last couple of weeks we have had phone calls of people that have been sleeping in doorways at night,” Yakowec said.

A community kitchen program runs each Wednesday afternoon where meals can be taken away with them and the soup kitchen takes place every second Thursday to alternate with the Melfort Food Bank.

With the guidelines in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pick-up for soup kitchen is at the back door.

“If someone is homeless and are just in need of a warm meal, they can just stop by the centre and we will make sure we find a warm meal for them,” Yakowec said.

Warm clothing items such as toques and mitts are also available for those in need.

The staff at the centre can also assist in helping to find housing but there is a limited number of options.

“A lot are limited to financial income to even find a house or to access services, especially if they don’t have identification or an address, or references for housing,” Yakowec said. “It is not easy for some of them to find housing even when it is available.”

The extreme cold warnings covering the province are expected to stick around. According to Environment Canada, wind chills in the -40 C to -50 C range that began over the weekend are expected for much of the week. In those temperatures, frostbite can happen within minutes on exposed skin.

“If you know of someone in the community that is homeless, help them access the services or call us to refer them and let us know if there is someone we can go out and help,” Yakowec said.

On the odd occasion a short-term solution is to put someone in a hotel and they often end up back on the street.

Yakowec said the general public can help out by making warm clothing item donations.

“Creating more awareness that homelessness exists in our community and making those referrals and showing we care can go a long way,” Yakowec said.

There are also some extra services available for those dealing with COVID-19 while homeless.

“We also have had quite a few referrals for families or elders that are isolating right now and have no access to someone getting them food and stuff, so we can help with that as well,” Yakowec said.

The centre staff is able to drop-off groceries, hygiene products, snacks and activities for the kids.

Masks, gloves, sanitizer and cleaning supplies are also available to those in need.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser