Homeless

Wyatt Rand helps with filling the Kelowna Community Fridge on April 24. Located at 1310 Bertram Street, the outdoor pantry and fridge is now accessible 24/7 for dropoff and pickups. (Aaron Hemens/Kelowna Capital News)

Community fridge opening in Lake Country

Volunteers get a boost from district towards new initiative

 

Packman Opens Hearts serves meals and is now keeping those thirsty hydrated during this heat wave. (Packman Moving and Labour Services photo)

Water donations needed for Vernon’s homeless, less fortunate

Packman Opens Hearts group keeping most at risk hydrated

 

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby jabs back against Penticton mayor’s ad urging BC Premier to intervene in shelter dispute

Eby writes that Penticton’s ‘serious’ social issues won’t improve under leadership of the mayor

 

A homeless camp is pictured in Strathcona Park in Vancouver. British Columbia’s housing minister says campers in Vancouver’s Strathcona Park can either choose to accept the housing on offer or leave the park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. working to house people camping in Vancouver park as deadline to leave looms

Campers at the park have until Friday at 10 a.m. to tear down their tents

A homeless camp is pictured in Strathcona Park in Vancouver. British Columbia’s housing minister says campers in Vancouver’s Strathcona Park can either choose to accept the housing on offer or leave the park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Randy Stenger is employed by Springline Construction Ltd., which is currently working near Buckerfields where a memorial for Vinny Larson, who died in a fire at his camp there, was created. Strenger was given direction by his boss to move and save the memorial. The tributes were taken to a lunch program April 2 in hopes of receiving ideas for a new site. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Construction company saves Salmon Arm memorial for man killed in fire

Employee moved by task of preserving tributes to man living rough, one moment stands out for him

Randy Stenger is employed by Springline Construction Ltd., which is currently working near Buckerfields where a memorial for Vinny Larson, who died in a fire at his camp there, was created. Strenger was given direction by his boss to move and save the memorial. The tributes were taken to a lunch program April 2 in hopes of receiving ideas for a new site. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Brandon Miller and Kim Merlo dish up dinner on Monday evenings with Packman Open Hearts for Vernon’s homeless or those needing some nutrition. (Contributed)

Vernon homeless well fed for Easter

Two dinners served around town Monday evening

Brandon Miller and Kim Merlo dish up dinner on Monday evenings with Packman Open Hearts for Vernon’s homeless or those needing some nutrition. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm firefighter Steve St. Denis, who looks after fire prevention for the fire department, led the plan to provide fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide/smoke detectors to people who are living rough in the community. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

People living rough in Salmon Arm to receive fire extinguishers, smoke detectors

Fire department, social service agencies want to keep people and property safe after fires in camps

Salmon Arm firefighter Steve St. Denis, who looks after fire prevention for the fire department, led the plan to provide fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide/smoke detectors to people who are living rough in the community. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Hundreds gather in Penticton in June 2020, for the Black Lives Matter protest. (Phil McLachlan, Black Press Media)

Penticton residents fire back at RCMP over right to protests during pandemic

As long as COVID-19 safety measures are maintained, citizens have a right to protest

Hundreds gather in Penticton in June 2020, for the Black Lives Matter protest. (Phil McLachlan, Black Press Media)
HOPE Okanagan’s Stay at Home Gala will raise funds to help serve Kelowna and Vernon’s vulnerable. (HOPE Okanagan)

Non-profit hosts virtual gala to support Okanagan’s vulnerable

HOPE Okanagan wants to raise awareness and support for those struggling in the streets

HOPE Okanagan’s Stay at Home Gala will raise funds to help serve Kelowna and Vernon’s vulnerable. (HOPE Okanagan)
A makeshift cold-weather camp that popped over Family Day long weekend in Parksville, located in the back parking lot of St. Anne’s church. (Mandy Moraes photo)

As snow falls on shelter-less B.C. town, woman builds her own makeshift homeless camp

‘There’s no doors open and these people are literally freezing’

A makeshift cold-weather camp that popped over Family Day long weekend in Parksville, located in the back parking lot of St. Anne’s church. (Mandy Moraes photo)
A warming bus could be hailed by those out in the cold wanting to warm up during last week’s cold snap. (Contributed)

Warming bus gets Vernon’s homeless out of the cold

Local man and volunteers drive around serving hot coffee and warmth during cold snap

A warming bus could be hailed by those out in the cold wanting to warm up during last week’s cold snap. (Contributed)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Homeless man says ‘thank you’ to Chilliwack firefighters for building him a shelter

City of Chilliwack received several calls this week from people concerned about James’ safety

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Chrissy Deye, Monica Kriese and other volunteers serve lunch to community members, including those without homes, on a cold, windy Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Lunches in Salmon Arm fill need by providing warmth, support, welcome meal

Community volunteers, service providers say they want to ensure access to resources during cold snap

Chrissy Deye, Monica Kriese and other volunteers serve lunch to community members, including those without homes, on a cold, windy Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
The West Kelowna Shelter Society operates out of the Westbank United Church. (Phil McLachlan - West K News)

Enough shelter spaces as temperatures dip in Kelowna, West Kelowna

Local advocates say this is thanks to collaboration between various agencies

The West Kelowna Shelter Society operates out of the Westbank United Church. (Phil McLachlan - West K News)
A fire at a homeless camp in Polson Park was extinguished by Vernon firefighters early Monday Feb. 8. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Fire sparked at homeless camp in Vernon park

Camp stove used to keep warm lit tent on fire early Monday morning

A fire at a homeless camp in Polson Park was extinguished by Vernon firefighters early Monday Feb. 8. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
H.O.P.E. Outreach volunteers, Angie Ioakimidou (left) and Joan Brazier — one of H.O.P.E.’s very first volunteers — are looking for more volunteers to help serve compassion, warmth and treats to those on the streets. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Volunteers needed to serve compassion on Vernon streets

Few homeless faces, even fewer volunteers

H.O.P.E. Outreach volunteers, Angie Ioakimidou (left) and Joan Brazier — one of H.O.P.E.’s very first volunteers — are looking for more volunteers to help serve compassion, warmth and treats to those on the streets. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
John Lee, 28, who lives in a makeshift shelter at the outskirts of Salmon Arm, eats his Christmas dinner on Dec. 25, 2020 while he talks about his life and what could have made a difference in his past. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Freezing to death seen sometimes as welcome option for Salmon Arm man

Fighting drug addiction, living rough through cold winter make survival a struggle

John Lee, 28, who lives in a makeshift shelter at the outskirts of Salmon Arm, eats his Christmas dinner on Dec. 25, 2020 while he talks about his life and what could have made a difference in his past. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Daisy the duck (Nadine Langford) poses with a customer while her dad Rick Parker gets change at one of the Krispy Kreme doughnut sales in November, raising funds to help feed the homeless in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Couple opens hearts to Vernon’s homeless

Special Christmas dinner planned to boost weekly meals provided to those most in need

Daisy the duck (Nadine Langford) poses with a customer while her dad Rick Parker gets change at one of the Krispy Kreme doughnut sales in November, raising funds to help feed the homeless in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Katherine McParland was executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, a non-profit agency devoted to working on ending youth homelessness. McParland herself was homeless for a period of time after aging out of the foster system. Photograph By KTW FILE

Kamloops homeless advocate leaves defining legacy following death

The death of the executive director of A Way Home Kamloops is being mourned by the team at the agency

  • Dec 7, 2020
Katherine McParland was executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, a non-profit agency devoted to working on ending youth homelessness. McParland herself was homeless for a period of time after aging out of the foster system. Photograph By KTW FILE
The City of Salmon Arm erected a fence around the Ross Street Plaza on Nov. 24/2020, citing reasons centering on safety and security due to camping by people who don’t have homes. The closure is temporary but it’s not known when it will be reopened. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

City of Salmon Arm erects fence around public plaza to prevent camping

Lieutenant says lack of public space affects people without homes but he understands city’s decision

The City of Salmon Arm erected a fence around the Ross Street Plaza on Nov. 24/2020, citing reasons centering on safety and security due to camping by people who don’t have homes. The closure is temporary but it’s not known when it will be reopened. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)