Visits … Unique …
⚠ Information may change. Please call ahead where possible. Hours and availability can vary.  ·  For immediate danger or medical emergency, call 911.  Last updated: May 26, 2026

Vernon, BC · Free Resource Guide · CARE Project 2026

Invisible
Thirst

Free water, food, shelter, and support across Vernon
for anyone who needs it, no questions asked.

6Water Stations
7Washrooms
2Food Programs
24/7Shelter Available
Why It Matters

Basic help should be easy to find when someone needs it quickly.

2L
Daily water need

A person needs about two litres of clean water every day. In summer heat, dehydration can hit fast, especially for someone outside all day.

3d
Days without water

Going without water can become dangerous quickly, especially during summer heat, long walks, or outdoor exposure.

$0
Cost at every station

Every water location on this list is free to use. Bring a bottle if you can, and refill when available.

24/7
Shelter stays open

Some park washrooms close after dark. That matters because people still need safety, privacy, and dignity at night.

"A washroom is not a luxury. Without one, simple things like staying clean, taking medicine, or looking for work become harder. Knowing where the nearest tap is can change a person's whole afternoon."

Free & Public

Water Stations & Refill Points

Six locations across Vernon where you can drink, refill, and cool down at no cost.

📍 Water Locations Vernon, BC
1
Polson Park
Near Band Shell · 2600 BC 6
Fountain
↗ Open location
2
Downtown
30th Ave at 35th St, Vernon
Fountain & bottle refill
↗ Open location
3
Bus Loop
31st Ave at 30th St, Vernon
Fountain & bottle refill
↗ Open location
4
DND Park
Falaise Drive (off Mission Rd)
Bottle refill station
↗ Open location
5
Marshall Field
6891 Okanagan Landing Rd
Fountain & bottle refill · near washrooms
↗ Open location
6
Ranger Park
1900 47th Avenue, Vernon
Fountain
↗ Open location

Information checked from City of Vernon public parks and recreation pages. We are using our own project map and layout for this guide.

Public Facilities

Public Washrooms

Seven locations with accessible washrooms throughout Vernon.

📍 Washroom Locations Vernon, BC
1
MacDonald Park
43rd Ave & 27th St
↗ Open location
2
Alexis Park
3951 Alexis Park Drive
↗ Open location
3
Grahame Park
5700 Okanagan Avenue
↗ Open location
4
Polson Park
2600 BC 6 (two locations)
↗ Open location
5
Kin Beach Park
7248 Tronson Rd
↗ Open location
6
Paddlewheel Park
7815 Okanagan Landing Rd
↗ Open location
7
Marshall Field
6891 Okanagan Landing Rd
↗ Open location

⚠ Most park washrooms operate April to October. Some close after dark Bus Exchange and shelter washrooms stay open longer.

Free Meals & Services

Food and Meal Programs

These programs can help with meals and basic support. Some services may provide multiple meals in a day, but hours can change, so call ahead when possible.

Upper Room Mission

3403 27th Ave, Vernon
↗ Open location
MealsClothingShowersLaundryDrop in
Mon Fri  10:00 am 4:00 pm

Vernon Alliance Church

2601 43rd St, Vernon
↗ Open location
Free MealFoodClothing
Mon 2 4 pm  ·  Thu 9 11 am

Note: The project count is 2 food programs. Some programs may provide up to three meals a day, depending on the service and schedule. Please call ahead because meal times can change.

Emergency Housing

Emergency Shelter

A free emergency shelter option that is listed as open 24/7. Call ahead or walk in during registration times when possible.

Open 24 / 7
Turning Points Vernon
Emergency Shelter
2506 37th Street, Vernon, BC ↗ Open location
Call anytime
250 241 2217
Who Can Stay
For people 19 or older facing homelessness or unstable housing. There is no cost to stay.
Capacity
Space for up to 60 residents. Beds depend on availability and are usually first come, first served.
Registration Times
Walk in at 1:30 · 4:30 · 6:30 · 9:30 · 11:30 pm in person only. No appointment needed.
🍽
Free
Meals
🚿
Free
Showers
👕
Free
Laundry
💬
Support
Counselling
🤝
Support
Harm Reduction
📋
Support
Case Planning
🏥
Support
Health Services
⚖️
Support
Legal Services
💼
Program
Employment Help
🎓
Program
Life Skills
🔄
Program
12 Step Groups
🔗
Support
Referrals
✓ No fees, completely free ✓ Funded by BC Housing ✓ Open 7 days, 24 hours ✓ In person registration only ↗ turningpoints.ngo
You Are Not Alone

Want to talk to someone?

You do not need to be in crisis to call. These lines can help you figure out what support fits your situation.

Interior Crisis Line
Free · 24/7 · Confidential · Immediate support
1 888 353 2273
HealthLink BC
Speak with a registered nurse · Free · Any time of day
811
NexusBC Community Resource Centre
Connects people with local services & helps with applications
250 545 0585
Hope Outreach
Supplies & harm reduction support for people living rough
250 258 7879

You can call even if you are not sure what kind of help you need. These services are free and confidential.

Always Available

Emergency Numbers

🚨
Emergency
911
🏥
HealthLink BC
811
💙
Interior Crisis Line
1 888 353 2273
👮
RCMP Non Emergency
250 545 7171
🛡
Community Safety
250 550 7840
Take It With You

Download the Pamphlet

We made a foldable version of this guide so it can be printed, handed out, and left in places where someone might actually need it.

Download Pamphlet (PDF)

Print and leave it somewhere people might see it
a library, laundromat, shelter, or community centre.

QR code to invisible-thirst.vernonsoftware.com

Scan to open this website
invisible thirst.vernonsoftware.com

New Feature

Kids Heat & UV
Safety Tool

Built for parents, daycares, and schools in Vernon. Enter your child's age, setting, and planned outdoor activity — and get personalised daily alerts when heat or UV puts them at risk.

🌡️ Heat risk calculator — real Vernon weather, age-specific water & sunscreen advice
☀️ UV & sunscreen guide — live UV index, correct SPF by age, reapplication timing
🏫 School & daycare ready — set profiles for each child or whole classroom groups
🔔 Morning notifications — push alerts or email on high-risk days before school starts
Open Kids Safety Tool
Live right now in Vernon
--°
Temperature
--
UV Index
Toddler risk level
Loading today's conditions…
Enter your child's profile for personalised advice →
About This Project

Why we made this.

Student written note
A note from the students

We made this project because we noticed that basic things like water, washrooms, and safe places to go are not always easy to find, especially for people walking, biking, living outside, or new to Vernon. There is support available in our city, but the information is spread across different websites and can be hard to use when someone needs help quickly. Our goal was to collect key resources in one simple place and make the guide easy to print, scan, and share. We hope it helps.

CARE Project 2026

Invisible Thirst is a student project created as part of Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) a program that empowers Grade 6 12 students across Vernon and the Central Okanagan to create real world climate solutions in their communities.

This guide maps free water stations, washrooms, food programs, and emergency supports across Vernon so people can quickly find basic resources. The guide exists both as this website and as a foldable printed pamphlet that can be left wherever it might help.

CARE is delivered through Fresh Outlook Foundation in partnership with School District 22 and the City of Vernon.

CARE - Climate Action Ripple Effect
Climate Action Ripple Effect
Fresh Outlook Foundation
climateactionrippleeffect.org ↗
School District 22 Vernon
School District 22
Vernon, British Columbia
sd22.bc.ca ↗
City of Vernon
City of Vernon
British Columbia, Canada
vernon.ca ↗
Clarence Fulton Secondary School
Clarence Fulton Secondary
Vernon School District 22
sd22.bc.ca ↗
Project Team · Clarence Fulton Secondary School · CARE 2026
Aarav Chawla
Clarence Fulton Secondary · CARE 2026
Evelyn Storey
Clarence Fulton Secondary · CARE 2026
Anthony Thiessen
Clarence Fulton Secondary · CARE 2026