A warm reprieve for Edmonton's homeless during cold snap

One bustravelling the snowy streets of Edmontonseeks out passengers who have been standing out in the cold for far too long and lets them on free of charge.

Boyle Street Community Services has been operating awarming bus stocked with hot meals and outerwear as a travelling drop-in centre during the winter months for the past12 years.

At first it was just a minivan, but a larger vehicle was required to serve the needs of thehomeless population living outside the city's core.

Stephen Inglis has been working on the bus for seven years.

"People who are living outside of the inner city don't have access to many of the services," he said. "They don't necessarily get the calories they need to keep their energy up. They don't necessarily have access to blankets, coatsand socks."

The bus travels to every corner of the city, often parking for a few hours outsidebottle depots.

Anyone who gets on is offered a cup of noodles, a sandwich, warm clothes and whatever else they mayneed, including first aid.

"If you're gathering bottles, you're jumping in and out of the bins, you get cuts and infections," Inglis said.

"Things that we take for granted, like basic hygiene equipment that you might be able to get at an inner-city agency out here in the west end or south side, not so much."

Amy Johnson dropped off her bottlesand stopped by the bus for a much-needed meal.

"Unfortunately, being an alcoholic you do what you have to do," Johnson said. "We pick bottles to stay warm and we come down to this specific bottle depot because we know that there is a van here that will give us something to eat and let us sit inside for a little bit."

Inglis saidhesees about 60 to 80 people a day.

He's grown to know many of them. He said they opt not to stay inshelters to maintain their privacy.

He hopes they fully relax on the bus, an opportunity they don't often get.

"It's dangerous being a homeless person. They live really harsh lives. There is a lot of violence, all kinds of dangers," Inglis said, adding the bus offers a temporary reprieve.

"It's a safe place, where you can just sitand be warm,and maybe even sleep for 15 minutes without worrying about people stealing your stuff."