Water drive underway for the unhoused

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on July 13, 2024.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Galt gardens foremen Trace Bradwell and Robert Lippa load cases of water to hand out to the vulnerable population.

With the scorching temperatures of above 30 degrees for the upcoming weeks, many organizations throughout the city are banding together to provide water for the unhoused population.

The unhoused population is at risk for dehydration and heat-related heath issues. Jennifer Lepko, chief development officer at Streets Alive, says their organization sees several instances of dehydration every day.

“The number one thing that we absolutely are seeing is the dehydration. they’re coming in, and dying of thirst, which is a very obvious sign of dehydration right from the start,” said Lepko.

To help combat the dehydration they have partnered with several outreach programs including the Sage clan, the Lethbridge food banks and my City Care to help encourage people to find shade and hand out bottled water.

“We have seen a number of individuals that are laying out in the sun and are not moving from those spaces and from the feeling of the heat, the fatigue and the dehydration. So we’re really encouraging them to get up and get moving, get into an area where they can cool down. We encourage them to come down to Streets just to cool down for a little while,” said Lepko.

An individual who has been on the streets for eight years and wishes to remain anonymous, says while he tries to find places to stay cool, there aren’t many options for the unhoused populations.

“I just stay in the shade or I go to the library,” said the individual.

He added that it would be nice if there was a place where the unhoused could cool off and play pool or card games.

Streets Alive, along with Lethbridge Wellness Shelter, is accepting donations of water to help support the unhoused population.

One food bank has received 452 lbs. of water since June 20, however, they are always in need of donations with the rising temperatures.

“We just really appreciate the community coming together and helping those that are less fortunate in our community and making sure that we’re at least getting our basic right of having a drink of water,” said Lepko.

The unhoused individual says they really appreciate the water, but hope people understand they are humans with feelings and to treat them with respect.

“I’m grateful for even a bottle of water from anybody. It goes a long way right. A lot of people are just too ignorant because they have and they think they’re better,” said the individual.

Lepko encourages everyone to call Streets Alive if they see someone who could use a bottle of water or some shelter at 403-320-1159.