Lethbridge homeless supports seeing increased demand due to the cold

Cold temperatures are creating difficult conditions for those experiencing homelessness in Lethbridge. (CTV News)

Lethbridge has seen temperatures dip below -20 C for much of the last week, creating challenging conditions for those experiencing homelessness.

Many are seeking places to get out of the cold even if just for a little while.

In 2022, a point-in-time count estimated there were 454 homeless people in Lethbridge.

“It’s been very, very busy. We’ve had a lot of people coming in cold, especially hands, feet, extremities, things like that. Just looking to get anything that they could use to kind of bundle and stay warm,” said Cam Kissick, COO of the Streets Alive Mission.

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen sees the numbers for their meals grow during cold snaps.

While the soup kitchen isn’t really meant to be an escape from the cold, volunteers do what they can for those who come in.

“We’re seeing 175 or so per meal three times a day. And I think the hardest part for me is when I’m driving there and I’m seeing all the encampments and seeing so many people without gloves, without toques,” said Bill Ginther, executive director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen.

It doesn’t take long for temperatures to turn dangerous if you don’t have a place to warm up. Volunteers often see people coming in with severe frostbite.

“We know that frostbite sets in pretty quick. We also know that amputations take place. We see that a lot,” Ginther said.

The warm start to the winter has caught people off guard.

Many of the people who come into support services don’t have proper winter clothing.

The Streets Alive Mission is asking for winter clothing donations for those in need.

“We’re really desperately in need of jackets, winter-related shoes, boots, pants, gloves. You name it, we need it right now,” Kissick said.

Temperatures will hover around -20 C or lower for at least the next week.