It’s hard to imagine having nowhere to go but outside when it’s – 15 C. Last week temperatures in Strathmore dropped to – 24 C without factoring in the windchill, a temperature where frostbite can set in fast.

The number of clients at the Strathmore Overnight Shelter has also increased with the colder weather.

Pastor Elizabeth Karp, the executive director, explained what it’s been like. “We struggle at Christmas, we're going to try and stay open for a couple of days during the day, but it's hard for us to do. We rely on our volunteers,” she said.

Karp explained that at the moment there are more people coming into the shelter.

“As well, as the cold gets worse and there's nowhere for them to go, it gets harder,” she says. The Strathmore Overnight Shelter is one of the most visible places in the community where people can go to warm up when it gets really cold over winter."

The group continues to collect warm winter clothing and operates its coat program for the community.

“People continually drop coats off in front of our door. We've been doing that for a few years, and yes that's all year round people do it,” said Karp.

The overnight shelter is open for those in need all year but as it get's colder the need becomes higher for not only shelter but food and clothing, Karp notes that they will always accept donations whether that be clothing, blankets, food, or monetary. 

For anyone wanting to volunteer either at the shelter or with their fundraising efforts the overnight shelter can be contacted on their website strathmoreovernightshetler.com  or call direct to 403-880-3171.