With nighttime temperatures dropping below -15 degrees, ANKORS has opened its cold shelter to keep vulnerable and unhoused residents warm.
“There is not enough affordable housing for folks. We’re working on that, but in the immediate short term, there’s a need to have an emergency winter shelter,” said Polly Sutherland, ANKORS Team Lead and Harm Reduction Coordinator.
“Our location, at Christ Church Anglican, is available to open so we get our plan in action to get folks inside.”
The shelter space is available at 46 13th Avenue South and is open from 7 p.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m.
“It has a full complement of staff, we have food and if people have pets, we can work out a pet arrangement at ANKORS,” said Sutherland.
“Youth are not allowed in the shelter, but if they are out there and need something in the middle of the night, we certainly want them to reach out to us about what they can do or where they can get support.”
While the emergency cold weather shelter is only open at night, Sutherland says other options are available.
“On the weekends, the Alliance Church will be open during the day. If they’re not available, ANKORS will be open during the day,” said Sutherland.
“In this cold weather, ANKORS also extends its hours. We open earlier, at 8 a.m. and we stay open until 7 p.m. when folks can move over to Christ Church Anglican.”
Currently, the other shelter spaces in Cranbrook do not have enough capacity to keep people inside during cold winter nights.
“Many of these folks who come to the emergency winter shelter are not able to get inside the other shelters,” said Sutherland.
“We operate the winter shelter once it hits -15 in Cranbrook.”
Sutherland says ANKORS also welcomes any community support.
“When people are cold, they’re hungry and we need a lot of food to keep them warmer. If anyone wants to make food to bring to ANKORS or if they want to donate groceries or quick snacks for people, we’re really open to receiving that,” said Sutherland.
“They can reach me or come to the ANKORS site, which is at 1324 2nd Street South.”
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