By Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

Lethbridge shelter hosts high number of visitors in wake of cold weather

Feb 6, 2019 | 11:08 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It’s been a busy week for the Lethbridge Shelter and Resource Centre.

In light of cold temperatures over the last few days, the local centre has seen about 80 visitors per night, according to the shelter’s manager, Collette Ryostock.

She said that even with the colder weather, their numbers are not as high as they were last year. However, she said they are climbing “steadily”.

“We have a capacity here of 111, and right now we’re in the high 80s,” Ryostock said.

“Last year, we had to open up a secondary shelter to accommodate the number of clients we had come through the doors. We were seeing like well over capacity, you know, I think our highest number last year was 143, but we had at that time already opened up a secondary shelter at the (Sik-Ooh-Kotok) Friendship (Society) to accommodate the extras.”

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She said the shelter offers a place for the less fortunate to come in and get a break from the cold.

“We have day-sleep available, just to get everybody out of the elements if they want to have a rest. We have showers, toiletries and access to resources,” she explained.

Ryostock said the shelter has been operating out of its current location on 2A Avenue North since 2004.

Right now, she said they’re asking residents to help out with donations.

“We rely heavily on the community support. Right now, we’re really in need of warm winter clothing, boots, winter coats. It just seems like we can’t keep up with the supply or the demand,” she said.

The Lethbridge Shelter and Resource Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.