Cold temperatures put Calgary Drop-In Centre over capacity

WATCH ABOVE: Some of the most deeply affected by the cold are Calgary’s homeless and it’s straining resources at our city’s biggest shelter. Mia Sosiak reports.

CALGARY- Luckily lots of outside workers had the day off for the stat holiday Tuesday but it was pretty chilly at Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Even cold enough to postpone a big high school football final scheduled for Tuesday.

But some of most deeply affected by the cold are Calgary’s homeless. It’s hard to find a spot to sit, much less sleep.

Tuesday evening, the cafeteria at one local Drop-In Centre will be crammed with people lying on mats.

170 emergency beds are opened because of the bitter cold.

“Unfortunately when the weather turns like this, it does get very very crowded.  There’s a lot of tension in there, at times, everybody trying to get a bed, hoping to get a bed or a mat somewhere on the floor,” Glen Oakley a Drop-In Centre client said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Unfortunately when the weather turns like this, it does get very very crowded.  There's a lot of tension in there, at times, everybody trying to get a bed, hoping to get a bed or a mat somewhere on the floor," Glen Oakley a Drop-In Centre client said.

Since temperatures dropped Sunday, the DI Drop-In Centre has housed about 1300 people a night , that’s one hundred over capacity.

It’s straining resources at Calgary’s biggest shelter but Jordan Hamilton, a spokesperson for The Drop-In and Rehab Centre said they’ll open the doors to anybody.

“Even once we reach capacity, we’ll still open our arms, our hearts and welcome people.  That’s life saving,” Hamilton said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Even once we reach capacity, we'll still open our arms, our hearts and welcome people.  That's life saving," Hamilton said.

Even past clients who were kicked out can come back.

At the Mustard Seed’s shelter in Foothills Industrial Park, clients are allowed to stay inside all day because of the cold.

The past two nights the facility has maxed out its capacity of 370, so it’s finding beds for clients at other shelters.

“Saying no because we’re out of room is actually one of the hardest things for our staff to say.  it’s actually very emotionally challenging because they’re here to help people,” Cliff Wiebe from The Mustard Seed said.

Both shelters are asking Calgarians to help out with donations.

Glen Oakley says he’s just grateful for a warm place to stay.

“I’ve been here a year now, trying to get out but I can’t find a place I can afford.  Other than that, hey, it’s home.” Oakley said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've been here a year now, trying to get out but I can't find a place I can afford.  Other than that, hey, it's home." Oakley said.

If would like to the homeless, the Mustard Seed needs warm clothing and hygiene products like toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The Drop-In Centre needs men’s clothing, towels and blankets.

You’re asked to drop those items off or you give cash through their websites.

If you see someone sleeping outside, call 911 so emergency services can go help them.