Mission calls for donations as heat wave expected to take toll on city’s homeless

With temperatures set to rise even higher this weekend, city officials and Union Gospel Mission are taking measures to protect residents, visitors and the homeless from the heat.

The Union Gospel Mission is seeking donations of sunscreen, water bottles, clothing and hats to help Vancouver’s poor and homeless, saying they would be most affected by the coming heat wave.

It is seeking: sunscreen, reusable water bottles and bottled water, men’s shorts, T-shirts, new underwear, hats and light long-sleeve shirts. Donations will be accepted at 601 East Hastings, which is open 24 hours.

These items are normally distributed from the mission’s premises or by its Mobile Mission, which travels the streets and alleyways in the Downtown Eastside and also visits areas under bridges and parking garages.

“The heart of the mission is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken, and offer dignity to those who feel cast out,” said the organization.

It has large vats of chilled water available in its drop-in centre available to any in need.

The City of Vancouver, which already has 250 water fountains across the city, is also installing temporary water fountains to ensure people stay hydrated.

Temporary fountains are being installed at the following locations: • Granville and 70th Avenue • Ontario and 1st Avenue •Montgomery and 45th Avenue • Commercial and Broadway • Beatty and Dunsmuir • East Hastings and Heatley. Meanwhile, Vancouver firefighters will assist city parks staff by patrolling streets and green spaces to keep an eye out for those who may be suffering from heat-related issues and offering advice and medical attention. Vancouver’s libraries and community centres are air-conditioned and serve as cooling centres for those who need to escape the heat. “The hot temperatures pose a health problem for at-risk populations including seniors, children younger than five, people who are homeless or have preexisting illnesses, and those isolated or reliant on caregivers,” said the city’s information bulletin. “Symptoms of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion include thirst, dizziness, confusion, weakness and fainting.”

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services is also asking that residents and visitors be careful with any generators and BBQs and discard cigarette butts in appropriate containers.

Capt. Jonathan Gormick noted discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of brush fires, and said parks and green spaces, boulevards, lawns, treed areas and hedges, are all extremely vulnerable right now.