A temporary winter shelter is set to open at the beginning of November in Maple Ridge, that will remain open regardless of the temperature outside.
From Nov. 1 until the end of April next year the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries will be operating the shelter at Ridge Church which will provide 30 beds to those who need to get off the streets over the winter season. The two agencies have entered into an agreement to host the shelter for the next six months.
The shelter will open every night at 9 p.m. and access will be through the south door of the church.
“We are seeing an increase in shelter usage,” explained Dave Macpherson, executive director at The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries.
“The weather is getting colder, and with the increased demand for shelter beds in Ridge Meadows, we had to find a way to meet this need for any people in the community who need shelter this winter,” he said.
Up to 30 guests will be able to stay at the shelter each night, including all genders, and their pets, carts and bicycles, when needed.
Guests will get a hot meal in the evening hours, and then breakfast in the morning before they leave at 7 a.m.
In past years, the shelter would only open during “extreme weather” events – when the temperature reached certain thresholds, either extreme cold or hot.
People who need relief from the outside elements during the daytime hours can access The Salvation Army’s warming centre which is open from 10-5:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows is a multi function facility focused on providing the essential needs of food, shelter and support to the residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
In 2021, The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows has provided:
• 170 bagged lunches daily for vulnerable school children
• 223 Backpacks for vulnerable children heading back to school in September
• 50 Vulnerable Children to Camp Sunrise on the Sunshine Coast
• 57,876 meals to families, seniors and individuals in our Community Meal Program
• 64 Individuals housed
• 46 Individuals sent to treatment