Saskatoon’s homeless search for warming shelters [Video]

Staff at the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre were asked to come up with a plan for a temporary warming space at the start of November. But when cold temperatures and snow arrived this week, they had to jump into action immediately.

“It quickly escalated into, how fast can you mobilize,” said Michelle King, executive director of Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre (SIMFC). “And we basically started with our original strategy of hiring and providing some training for security services to mobilizing within 24 hours to open because of the storm that hit.”

On the first night, more than 180 people came through the doors to warm up with a hot coffee or some food, and dozens more have stopped by in the nights since.

Staff say they’re more than willing to help out vulnerable Saskatoon residents.

“In the long run, it’s our clients that mean the most …