Extreme cold leads to sharp rise in shelter usage
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PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George has been dealing with temperatures in the -25 to -30 °C with wind chill, leading to shelters across the city seeing an increase in usage. The Fire Pit is one of several that is seeing significantly more people than usual, with the last two days bringing 136 people in who are trying to avoid the cold.
“Our hours were from 10:00 to 7:00, but we had to change it because it’s getting really cold. And then we have people standing outside trying to get warm and starting fires, so the best way to protect ourselves and everyone else is just to open and have people come in so they can stay warm and have a safe place as well,” said Positive Living North’s Program Manager Rosemary Jamal.
With demand being as high as it is, Jamal says any donations would be a tremendous help for the organization, as it also provides food, drinks, winter clothing, and more, to anyone who needs it.
