Tents under the snow at Kelowna’s Rail Trail camp last week. Kelowna residents pitched in big this week to help those sleeping outside during this week’s first bout of cold, but more help is needed. On Tuesday, the Kelowna Gospel Mission appealed for donations of warm clothing, tents and sleeping bags for the more than 100 people in Kelowna experiencing homelessness as overnight temperatures dropped to -10C. Vanessa Hair of the Kelowna Gospel Mission says the community response has been “overwhelming.” “At the Rutland thrift store we’ve had two bins full in the last few days of donated clothes that have gone straight through the door to shelters and the community,” she said. “That was awesome to see. But when we distribute them, they go so fast. Our supplies were full, but they are running low very quickly because we are distributing them immediately.” Those wishing to drop off donations can do so at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Thrift Store at 125 Roxby Rd ​​in Rutland. In addition to collecting and distributing essential supplies to those in need, the Kelowna Gospel Mission operates a shelter in the Leon Avenue building and the newly opened Bay Avenue shelter. While the new shelter has a capacity of 60 overnight beds, a lack of staff meant it was only operating at 50 percent capacity when it opened last month. But Hair says they’ve managed to hire three full-time staff and three casual staff in the past two weeks and are now able to offer 40 beds at the shelter. But for full capacity, they are still looking to hire two team leaders, two registered social workers and one staff member to work weekend mornings. “We would love to use those other beds that are empty, but we just can’t because of the low staffing,” Hair said. “So that would get some people off the street and into a warm place and provide services for them to start transitioning to what they think is best with a social worker.” Those interested in applying for a position or volunteering in the gospel mission can find information here. On Wednesday, Canadian Mental Health Association of Kelowna CEO Mike Gawliuk announced 20 more temporary shelter beds had been opened in the city for four nights this week. He did not reveal the location of the new shelter.