By Greg Higgins

Lighthouse opens 24-7 for those in need

Nov 30, 2016 | 11:00 AM

Availability of the local homeless shelter throughout winter was up in the air for months but with help from the public, the plan is to stay open all hours of the day until at least spring.

The Lighthouse is the only homeless shelter in the area. Up until a few weeks ago, the shelter was only open for overnight stays and anyone using the facility had to depart by 8 a.m.

New manager Shylo Bolig, said with the temperature dropping they had to open the doors.

“Basically, we don’t want to see anyone freezing out there this winter,” Bolig said. “I think the shelter is a need no matter what. We definitely don’t want to see anyone out there cold with no place to go so if they need safe place to go, we need it to be open 24 hours and not just at a certain time.”

According to Bolig, the shelter can hold roughly 35 people in beds and any overflow can be housed in the dining room on mats.

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Bolig denied to comment on funding for the extra hours but said the shelter is in need of donations from the public.

“We have quite a few people asking us about donations and what we need,” Bolig said. “It is getting cold so it’s your mitts, toques, jackets and winter boots. Any sort of food donations would be much appreciated and a great help around here.”

Bolig said she hopes the new hours will help with donations because they can be accepted at anytime. The new hours also allow for breakfast and lunch to be provided to anyone who is in need on any day of the week. Dinner however, is only provided to those staying the night with exception to Friday’s where supper is open to anyone who wants to drop by.

The manager said any community group can help by holding an open dinner on other days, as it will be the only way to provide the meal to those who are not staying the night.

Bolig added the shelter is working closer with the Lighthouse in Saskatoon. She said they are handling more of the finances so she and her staff can put more focus into their clients. Bolig said though there is always a concern with turning people away, she can’t see it happening.

“We don’t want to do that,” Bolig said. “We are hoping everything works out and we can keep them housed when it is getting cold. We will always find space for them. Turning away someone when it gets colder is not going to be an option.”

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.