Supporting People in Extreme Cold Who Use Substances

Cold weather events can be challenging for anyone trying to stay warm and safe. People who use substances are particularly at risk, due to the physical effects of some substances. They may also be impacted by other risks during extreme cold, such as homelessness or a lack of appropriate clothing.

This page summarizes key messages and services in the City of Thunder Bay to support people who use substances in extreme cold weather. It was adapted from the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program resource, Supporting Individuals During Extreme Cold Events, 2024.

NOTE:
Service access and other information can change. Please reach out to organizations first when possible. This page will be reviewed and updated monthly throughout Winter 2025/26. If corrections or changes are needed, please email the Harm Reduction Program.

Key Messages

Try to:

  • Stay warm.
  • Keep moving.
  • Monitor the weather.
  • Know spaces where you can warm up.
  • Dress for the weather in loose layers.
  • Cover fingers, cheeks, ears and nose.
  • Change into dry clothes if you get wet.
  • Change your socks regularly.
  • Eat and drink regularly - especially warm fluids.
  • Know that caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating.
  • Avoid using alone.
  • Store naloxone at room temperature if you can. Keep naloxone close to your body if you can’t.
  • Thaw frozen naloxone before use.
  • Be aware that cold weather can make naloxone work more slowly.
  • Seek medical care for frostbite or infections.

Always call 911 for overdose or hypothermia.

Resources

[ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Shelters and Warming Centres[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Shelter House

  • Shelter: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day EXCEPT meal times
  • Location and Contact: 420 George St, (807) 623-8182

PACE

  • Warming Centre: 7 days a week, 8:00 AM-8:30 PM
  • Location and Contact: 409 George St, (807) 624-3340

Grace Place Out of the Cold

  • Shelter: 7 nights a week, 9:00 PM-8:00 AM
  • Location and Contact: 235 Simpson St (PM only), (807) 473-3538

Elevate NWO

  • Drop-in Centre: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
  • Location and Contact: 102-106 Cumberland Street North, (807) 345-1516

Urban Abbey

  • Shelter – for women only: 7 days a week, 9:00 PM-8:00 AM
  • Location and Contact: 308 Red River Rd, (807) 768-8923

Salvation Army

  • Shelter – for men only: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day; come after 5:30 PM
  • Location and Contact: 545 Cumberland St N, (807) 345-7319

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Food and Meals[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

211: People requiring free groceries or vouchers can learn more by calling 211. They will provide more information about local food banks, including locations and hours.

  • Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
  • Location and Contact: virtual only; 211 (call or text)

Shelter House

  • Hours: Breakfast, 7:30 AM-8:30 AM (shelter residents only); Lunch, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM; Dinner, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Location and Contact: 420 George St, (807) 623-8182

Dew Drop Inn

  • Hours: Daily; Bagged lunch, 9:00 AM-3:30PM; Take-home hot meal, 12:30PM-3:30PM
  • Location and Contact: 292 Red River Rd, (807) 346-0809

Urban Abbey

  • Hours: Lunch starting at noon
  • Location and Contact: 308 Red River Rd, (807) 768-8923

Grace Place

  • Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
  • Location and Contact: 235 Simpson St, (807) 473-3538

Salvation Army Soup Van

  • Hours: Daily; Minnesota Park, 6:00 PM-6:30 PM; Wilson Parkette, 7:00PM-7:30 PM
  • Location: Minnesota Park or Wilson Parkette

Elevate NWO

  • Hours: Monday-Friday; Breakfast, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM; Snacks, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
  • Location and Contact: 102-106 Cumberland Street North, (807) 345-1516

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Clothing[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Community Clothing Assistance: Clients experiencing homelessness who are in immediate need of clothing can walk in through the CCA’s Homeless and Disaster Relief program. Otherwise, clients must be referred by a partner agency to access the full free clothing program.

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 12:00 PM-5 PM
  • Location and Contact: 404 May Street N, (807) 474-3583

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Outreach and Transportation[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

SOS bus: Offers transportation between shelters, emergency supplies, harm reduction supplies, crisis support, snacks and supportive listening.

  • Hours: Daily, 6:00 PM-2:00 AM
  • Contact: Location varies; (807) 620-7678

Care Bus: A mobile warming centre that provides transportation to needed services, access to an outreach worker, harm reduction supplies, and health education. 

  • Hours: November 17-December 31, 1:00PM to 9:00PM; January 1-February 28: 9:30 AM-9:30 PM
  • Contact: Location varies; (807) 632-9732

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Harm Reduction Supplies[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Superior Points: Provides harm reduction supplies by outreach and delivery.

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM and 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Contact: Location varies; (807) 621-7861

Elevate NWO: Place to pick up harm reduction supplies.

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
  • Location and Contact: 102-106 Cumberland Street North, (807) 345-1516
For a searchable map of all locations that distribute harm reduction supplies, visit ohrdp.ca/find-supplies.

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Non-Emergency Public Health Support[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Thunder Bay District Health Unit Street Outreach Team: Provides free, confidential, non-emergency public health support to anyone who is street-involved, including people who are homeless, under-housed, and/or using substances in the City of Thunder Bay.

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (except for holidays)
  • Location and Contact: Location varies; (807) 629-2157

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Mental Health Support[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Thunder Bay Crisis Response: Provides services to individuals and their families experiencing a mental health/addictions crisis, including a 24-hr crisis response phone/text line, crisis response mobile unit, and crisis safe beds.

  • Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
  • Contact: (807) 346-8282

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Offers help 24/7 if you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide. This support is bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate and available to anyone in Canada.

  • Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
  • Contact: 988 (call or text)

Beendigen Talk4Healing: Offers help, support, and resources 24/7 through talk, text, and chat for Indigenous women and their families.

  • Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
  • Contact: 1-855-554-HEAL or live chat

NAN Hope: Provides community-driven, culturally appropriate and timely mental health and addictions support to members of the 49 First Nations communities in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Territory.

  • Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for crisis response
  • Contact: 1-844-NAN-HOPE (1-844-626-4673)

Additional mental health resources and supports can be found at tbdhu.com/mentalhealthsupport.

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM][ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Weather Forecasts and Alerts[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]

Environment Canada is a good source for weather information, including:

[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM]

 

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