Community groups call for donations, cooling centre as heatwave rolls through Regina
As temperatures hit the mid 30s in Regina, some community groups are calling for specific donations to help keep everybody comfortable in the heat.
There are now three fridges in the city operated by Regina Community Fridge. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People can donate what they can and take what they need when visiting.
Danielle Froh, a volunteer with Regina Community Fridge, said certain things have been flying off the shelves over the past few days.
“We’re finding as we bring water up, people are waiting for it to come and are drinking a couple of bottles at one time,” Froh said. “There’s a real dire need.”
Regina Community Fridge is asking the community for specific items for the summer.
“Right now we really need water, popsicles, freezies and anything that’s frozen that can help cool people down. We also need sunscreen,” she said. “If you need it in hot weather, then everyone else in the city does as well.”
Froh said volunteers with the fridges have also noticed a need for more public places where people can go to cool down in the summer, similar to the warming centres that are available in the winter.
“There’s no where for people to go, to get AC and to cool down if they’re exposed to elements in the city,” Froh said.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are restrictions at some shelters. Public places like malls and libraries are now open, but there is still limited capacity.
“What the city needs is to have a cool down centre with air conditioning, water and snack provided for people who don’t have the ability to escape the heat on their own,” Froh said.
At Mobile Crisis Service, staff are helping people beat the heat by giving out water for free from its office.
Damara Moskal, the acting assistant executive director, said there have been discussions about the need for a cooling centre in the city.
“Having a spot where people are able to come and cool off is for sure on our radar,” she said. “Right now we’re doing the best we can in terms of handing out bottled water and we just don’t have the space to accommodate much more than that, but certainly ourselves along with other community organizations are aware that it is a barrier right now.”
There is no word on when or if something concrete will come together in the near future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.