The Salvation Army in Prince Albert is running low on coats and blankets with a cold snap looming. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Coat Donations Needed

Incoming cold has Salvation Army looking for more coats

Nov 29, 2022 | 12:30 PM

Temperatures dropped in a hurry over the last couple of days and they’ve only just begun to drop. That puts the Salvation Army in Prince Albert in a tough spot.

Coats, blankets, long johns, toques, and gloves are all needed at the Salvation Army ahead of the coming cold snap. Earlier this month, when things cooled off quickly, they got a sense of how many people needed supplies to help keep warm.

“We had a supply, and it is disappearing really quickly,” said Major Ed Dean. “That last cold snap we had, we saw a real influx of people looking for coats.”

According to Dean, part of their supply issue comes from the fact that several different groups are collecting, which he doesn’t mind as long as those coats are getting to people that need them. Still, their supply has definitely taken a hit.

“We have coats on the floor, but what is that going to look like in the next week or so?” Dean said. “We can always use more, especially this time of year because it’s a long winter. Without them, how are we looking after people? The last thing we want is for somebody to be cold, or to perish because they don’t have the supplies they need.”

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

2h ago

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

18h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

23h ago

As he’s fairly new to the community, Dean couldn’t comment on whether more people were looking this year than in years passed. He definitely noticed a lot more people coming in when the temperatures started to drop, however.

“In an average day, we’ll have two or three (people),” said Dean. “We saw 35 people that one day looking for coats and blankets and stuff like that to wrap in because they were outside and needed to stay warm.”

It doesn’t take too much time outside to get a sense of what the homeless community in Prince Albert is facing over the next several days and beyond. The difference is, where people with homes can escape the cold for a bit, the unhoused have no such luxury.

“We take it for granted when we go to our homes that the heat is on,” Dean said. “For those that may not be housed or are trying to survive in the outdoors, -20C or -30C really bites into your skin. Once you get that chill on, how are you getting rid of it? Where we can turn the thermostat up a little bit more, those that are outside can’t do that.”

Dean added he wants people to think of these donations as neighbours helping neighbours, as people in need are neighbours whether they have homes or not. He also said the Salvation Army is still looking for volunteer bell-ringers for their Christmas campaign.

—-

rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP