The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords is providing a Christmas dinner for the community on Dec. 25. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Community support

Lighthouse makes sure everyone has a place to go for Christmas dinner

Dec 17, 2019 | 5:22 PM

The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords is making sure no one is left out in the cold this Christmas.

Manager Tracey Reimer said Christmas dinner is planned at 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the shelter in North Battleford, and is open to all.

“It will be a community meal,” she said. “We have a lot of the community who come in as well, not just the clients. So we open our doors.”

While many people may think basic needs are food, shelter and clothing, Reimer said it is much more than that.

“Everyone needs family and community as well to just be able to celebrate together,” she said. “Being able to celebrate [Christmas] and be a family here, that is our passion for them.”

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While the weather has hovered close to -20 Celsius this past week, more homeless people are heading to the shelter.

“We are running pretty much at full capacity, but we aren’t turning anyone away,” Reimer said. “We do have some extra mats that we can put out on the floor if need be. So we’re still good.”

The facility is open 24 hours a day where people can come in, warm up and have some coffee. Meals are also provided.

The Lighthouse has 33 beds in total and 10 extra sleeping mats it can provide to meet the demand for emergency shelter to accommodate any overflow.

“We keep our doors open for everyone. So when it is below a certain temperature or it’s excessively cold we let everybody in,” Reimer said.

When at its busiest, the shelter has had 44 occupants so far this winter.

The facility is currently in the process of adding a new secondary entrance for what will be known as a stabilization unit. People dealing with addictions issues can enter the private entrance and not disturb the residents staying in the main area.

They will have a bed where they can sleep when they come in out of the cold, as well as a place to shower and washroom facilities. The individuals will be able to rest until they are safe to enter the main area.

“That will definitely be a more secure place for the clients and staff that are in here that are not under the influence,” Reimer said.

With the high number of people using its services, the Lighthouse encourages anyone from the area who can help to make a donation.

“We are always looking for winter clothing, hats, mitts, scarves, boots, coats, toiletries. Items are always welcome, and definitely food,” Reimer said, adding meat products are also needed.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow