11/30/2022
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KXLY
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KXLY
Posted: November 29, 2022 4:33 PM Updated: November 29, 2022 6:43 PM byVanessa Perez
SPOKANE, Wash. — The people living at Camp Hope are bracing for Wednesday’s incoming winter storm. It’ll be a rough couple of days ahead for people who call tents and campers home.
Anthony Jolls is originally from the Midwest, and he’s making adjustments as the storm is expected to hit the Inland Northwest.
“There is no preparing for it. I don’t have anything to prepare for it. I’m in a camper but I might move back into my pickup truck. It’s a smaller area to heat,” he said.
Jolls says his camper is a waste of heat because it isn’t insulated. He has received a buddy heater from Jewels Helping Hands which oversees the camp, but that only goes so far.
“If we get a lot of snow, none of these places are really insulated. So, I’m not really sure how to prepare for it. I had a lot of stuff for the most of winter, but other people decided that they wanted it more than I did,” he said.
Camp leaders say there’s only so much they can do to help, but Jewels Helping Hands says it’s making sure people have the necessities they need to stay warm.
“We have 100 buddy heaters that we’re going to go tent to tent to hand out to the most vulnerable folks. We’re also going tent to tent to find out people’s blanket needs, and sleeping bags and things that we can help get them through the night,” said Julie Garcia, founder of Jewels Helping Hands.
People can also keep warm across the street in a tent also used to provide services until 5 p.m. each day. Camp leaders have also added two warming tents inside the camp, which are open 24/7.
“We realize that in the next ten days there isn’t one day that is above freezing for these folks,” Garcia said.
As of Tuesday night, according to the city’s website the Trent Resource and Assistance Center had 13 beds available. The city says even if the center reaches capacity, the Salvation Army has a practice of finding additional space for people.
The city issued us this statement:
“The region has a network of shelters in different areas. The Trent Resource and Assistance Center came online this fall to add capacity to the system and flex capability in times of severe weather and air quality issues. People who need a place to stay will not be turned away. The City and its partners continue to encourage individuals to seek indoor spaces to get out of the weather.”
Posted: November 29, 2022 1:18 PM Updated: November 29, 2022 6:49 PM byVincent Saglimbeni
SPOKANE, Wash. — An RV caught on fire at Camp Hope.
Smoke was coming from the homeless camp earlier on Tuesday.
Firefighters from the Spokane Fire Department are on the scene trying to put out the fire.
Two people were able to escape from the fire. Firefighters also found a puppy under a pile of blankets. The puppy is unharmed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.