Saskatoon church provides warming centre for homeless

As winter continues to linger, those calling the streets of Saskatoon home look for a place to thaw their frozen fingers and toes.

That’s why St. Mary’s Parish in Pleasant Hill is offering a warm space to those who need it most.

David Clare, the residential services supervisor with the Salvation Army, said the organization noticed over the past few years that a significant number of people don’t have a space to go overnight when temperatures start to dip.

The organization partnered with the church to open a warming centre in its hall in December.

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Since the shelter opened, Clare said there has been a steady increase in its use, with up to 130 people using it every night to escape the cold.

“These are individuals that have no place to go, they can’t access shelters (and) can’t access various supports in the community,” he said.

The shelter often gets returning visitors, he explained, adding that around 60 per cent of visitors are male, and ages range from 18 to people in their late 60s.

Overall, Clare said the organization has received positive feedback from those accessing the space.

“They’re just grateful to have a place to go,” he said.

Father Kevin McGee of St. Mary’s Parish said allowing the hall to become a warming space was an obvious response, but also came with challenges.

“This was something that needed to be brought to the community,” he said, adding that some of the concerns about there being a warming shelter came from senior citizens.

McGee said with the help of the Salvation Army, and Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl, the church provided the community with presentations and answered all questions and concerns.

It is not yet confirmed if the warming shelter will reopen next year, but McGee said he believes the community would be amenable to having the warming shelter open again next winter.

“It really comes down to saving lives,” McGee said.

The shelter operates from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week, and is expected to stay open until the end of March.