As an innovative community partner, The Salvation Army in Barrie is Helping to Provide a Cooling Tent During Extreme Heat

The Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH) Barrie Chapter is providing an alternative to helping people stay cool during a recent heat wave, by setting up a misting tent in the parking lot of The Salvation Army Bayside Mission in downtown Barrie.

SCATEH, which includes Redwood Park Communities, The Salvation Army and the John Howard Society of Simcoe/Muskoka among others, are providing relief to many who may not wish to go to the City of Barrie’s cooling centre located at the bus terminal.

“A lot of spaces where people would normally find shelter during extreme temperatures have been closed due to COVID,” said Salvation Army Major Stephanie Watkinson. “We needed an option for those living on the streets that’s both COVID friendly and makes people feel comfortable.”

Jennifer van Gennip, director of communications for Redwood Park Communities and Major Stephanie looked into acquiring a misting tent but they were very expensive.

However, they found a misting kit for a reasonable price that can be attached to a regular pop-up tent with zip ties and the outcome of this innovative approach has been helped the communities’ most vulnerable have a place to cool down.

“It’s a real community effort; a lot of organizations are donating items to the tent and volunteering their time,” said Major Stephanie. “About 40 to 50 people stopped by to cool off on Monday and even more on Tuesday, so word is spreading about our tent.”

Volunteers are working at the tent Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 4:30 this week and the tent will continue to run during future heat waves.

To provide financial support to The Salvation Army, donations can be made online at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, where donations can also be directed to a specific program or location.