(Dreamstime)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

potentially lethal temperatures

Deep freeze has Red Deer social agencies working double time to protect vulnerable

Jan 11, 2024 | 12:10 PM

With the mercury dipping ever lower and to levels potentially lethal, agencies in Red Deer are doing what they can to ensure people experiencing homelessness are safe.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has Red Deer looking down the barrel of a -32 degrees Celsius high on Friday, Jan. 12, while it dips to -45 overnight, and that’s not counting the wind chill.

As of Jan. 11, Saturday looks to be colder during the daytime, getting up to -36, and dipping to -45 again overnight. Sunday’s forecast is -34 during the day and -35 at night, before we could get a daytime high of -13 on Monday. Temperatures will be milder but still very cold for multiple days after that.

Today, an extreme cold warning is in place and the city can expect a high of -30.

At Red Deer’s temporary emergency shelter, operated by Safe Harbour, the 24-hour site is consistently seeing 180+ people every day, putting it at capacity.

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“We are working hard with all community partners to ensure everyone has a place to be warm,” says Kath Hoffman, executive director. “Our outreach teams are out in full force. Community agencies are doing all they can.”

Safe Harbour will accept donations of any warm winter gear, excluding blankets. They can be dropped off anytime at the shelter (5239 53 Avenue).

Similar donations can also be made to The Mustard Seed (6002 54 Avenue). Now through Sunday, hours at The Mustard Seed have been extended, opening from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. The team there will reassess the need for extended hours as the weather continues.

Dani Villanueva, Mustard Seed street level supervisor, says if you see someone outside, encourage them to go to The Mustard Seed or the emergency shelter.

“People you may see outside our building are lining up or smoking. We try to encourage them to stay inside so that we can give them the best service possible,” says Villanueva. “Our volunteers and other staff are working double time to make sure their needs are being met, be it winter essentials or just conversation.”

The Mustard Seed has 46 overnight beds — 35 for men and 11 for women. If they must turn someone away, The Mustard Seed will pay for a taxi to take someone over to the emergency shelter.

The Mustard Seed has also added mealtimes, with an extra one tonight, Saturday and Sunday, on top of its regular schedule. Meal service is at 6 p.m. most days, but at 5 on Friday.

To volunteer at The Mustard Seed in Red Deer, for things like meal and coffee service and other jobs, click here.

Meantime, Turning Point (4611 50 Avenue; open 9:15-4:30) and the Red Deer Food Bank (7429 49 Avenue; open 8:30-4:00) are also collecting winter items.