Kamloops

Kamloops sits at the meeting point of the North and South Thompson Rivers, a mid-sized city of roughly 100,000 people known for its dry hills, ranching roots, and a growing university crowd that gives downtown a mixed, sometimes uneasy energy. Money here isn't evenly spread — average household income runs around $95,000, but that figure hides a lot of people barely scraping by or with nothing at all. The 2023 Point-in-Time count identified 234 people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops, and outreach workers will tell you the real number moving through shelters, cars, and the riverbank areas is higher. The Kamloops Homeless Shelter operated by ASK Wellness Society is often the first stop for a bed and a hot meal, and their outreach teams know the streets well. The Kamloops Food Bank can help stretch what little you have, and the Elizabeth Fry Society offers support if you're a woman or facing family violence on top of everything else. This city can be hard and beautiful in the same breath — the rivers keep moving, and so can you, one day at a time.