Inn from the Cold operates two temporary shelter programs and VAPC volunteers offer their support to both throughout the year.

The Emergency Family Shelter at 110 11 Avenue SE provides semi-private rooms for families and senior men until more permanent accommodation can be found for them. During the day, adults work, attend school, or participate in programs to address issues which contributed to their homelessness. Small children remain with parents or go to daycare; school-age children attend classes at "partner schools". They all return to the shelter for an evening meal in a common dining room.

It is with this evening meal that VAPC volunteers become involved. On the second Tuesday of each month, a team of six to eight individuals arrives at the residence at 5 pm. The main course prepared by the Inn's cook is warming in the oven and a list of instructions awaits them. The volunteers set up the dining room, say grace, serve the meal, wash dishes as required, and prepare bagged lunches for the next day. With the number of residents ranging from thirty-five to the maximum capacity of eighty, accommodating special food restrictions, and following instructions to "chop fine" for babies', those bagged lunches can be a daunting task! However, as always, many hands make light work and in two and a half hours, all is accomplished - volunteers have had their dinner with the residents and are on their way home - with renewed appreciation of that phrase.

On the evenings that VAPC serves at the residence, dinner includes dessert. Sixteen cooks have taken turns providing "goodies" each month. You may not see the enthusiasm with which your contribution is received, but be assured that something baked at home is a special treat for these folk that is sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

Inn from the Cold also operates "Community Shelters" for single men and women and couples without children at sixty locations around the city. Grace Presbyterian Church serves as a community shelter two nights a month and they rely on regular volunteers from VAPC.

If anyone is interested in helping out with Inn from the Cold, information/sign-up sheets are a permanent feature on the bulletin board. We would love to hear from you.