Local resident Mel Bell has a plan to deal with the short-term needs of the homeless in Grand Forks.

Bell says he plans to rent out a hall and provide 10-15 beds to homeless men from the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. The men will be given sandwiches in the evening and hot coffee in the morning.

Bell has started a charitable account at the Canadian Imperial Back of Commerce (CIBC) and his group is called People Sheltering Men. He’s also accepting donations at the flea market on the corner of 3rd Street and 72nd Avenue. Bell says he’s not trying to interfere with the work of the Public Safety Task Force, which is also looking for a location for an emergency shelter. However, he said the homeless in Grand Forks have an immediate short term need for shelter. Right now, he says there are men sleeping in Gyro Park and City Park and in doorways and alleyways.

“It puts them in danger having to sleep in places they aren’t welcome,” he said. “I just want to provide them with a bed.”

Bell said one man was so desperate after sleeping in Gyro Park for three nights in the rain that he went to the police station and told them he was going to kill himself if he couldn’t find a bed.

“This wouldn’t happen if we had a mattress for this person,” he said.

Bell says he doesn’t have a hall lined up yet, but his group is willing to pay rent and insurance. He also said he has male volunteers who have agreed to supervise the shelter overnight.

For more information, call Bell at 250-443-5292.