The following article was submitted to PrinceGeorgeMatters from Judy Thomas, Prince George resident.
When I heard that the Fire Pit had opened for the homeless during the day I immediately thought 'Great, I should bring down some things like cards, a puzzle for them to do.' I was a bit disappointed to hear there was only room for 10 people, as I knew from helping out at St. Vincent de Paul that typically we got about 100 clients. But hey, it all helps. Especially at colder than minus 20. Nobody wants to hang out outside at that temperature. And that’s potentially a life or death temperature.
I arrived at the shelter around 10:30 a.m. and about 30 people were gathered around on the sidewalk, mostly huddled under blankets. The people told me the centre was closed till 1 p.m. and even then, people would not be allowed in to warm up when it opened.
'What about St. Vincent’s?' I asked.
'Nope. Only food. They are closed too. Nothing open for warming in town. Just beds at 10 p.m.'
Disheartened I continued on to the library to get my books. No homeless people there either, what with COVID precautions.
‘Oh, maybe at least bring them coffee' I thought.
People seemed grateful when I arrived back at the center with 2 boxes of coffee, extra cream. I had no worries about them sharing. Whenever I’d seen these clients before they supported each other, tolerated each other’s foibles.
“Hey Timbits here" I heard as I walked back to my car. On the way home, I saw a spot with a few tents. Imagine sleeping rough at minus 28?
How can a rich community like Prince George allow people out on the street below minus 20? No, I don’t know the entire supports available. And I know many people and organizations are doing their best. But we are so lucky no one has died during this cold snap. And is cold predictable in PG? Yes, every year.
Why couldn’t the city have prepared a day warming spot? My husband suggested our expensive new underground parking—it would have heat and be better than outside. Or even the closed Civic Centre?
Admittedly a wicked problem. What’s really needed are small, long term housing units with services. When there’s a problem downstream, deal with the upstream issues. And of course, the provincial and federal governments need to chip in. And chip in a lot. But for my tax dollar, I’d rather address homelessness [in Prince George] than a new unused airport runway, or over budget parkade.
