A retired peacekeeper in Thunder Bay, Lorne Clifford, started a project called I Was Thirsty, delivering water bottles and compassion to the city’s homeless community.

Clifford launched the grassroots initiative earlier this year to deliver bottled water directly to encampments across the city. Since the summer, volunteers have handed out more than 14,000 bottles with care and compassion.

His time overseas made Clifford realize how difficult it can be for people to access clean water. Seeing similar struggles in local encampments, he started the project through St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which now manages donations. Volunteers purchase and deliver cases of water directly to people in need, so no one has to wait in line. At first, residents were uncertain about the navy-blue truck arriving at their tents, but within days they realized it was bringing water. They began greeting it with thanks and even helped unload. The group’s name comes from the Gospel of Matthew: “I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.”

A 2024 count recorded 557 people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay, with 78 percent identifying as Indigenous. Many told Clifford that his initiative fills a need no other service was meeting. Some people can access water from the marina, but carrying heavy jugs long distances is not possible for everyone. Clifford hopes the project can expand to other places too, noting that for just $3, a case of 24 water bottles can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

Source: Rajpreet Sahota, CBC