the mission
Our Story
I WAS THIRSTY delivers safe, clean drinking water directly to unsheltered individuals in Thunder Bay. Founded and led by Lorne Clifford, a former Canadian peacekeeper, the initiative transforms access to water into measurable, high-impact humanitarian service. Every bottle delivered reflects a commitment to reconciliation, dignity, compassion, and community care.
Our goal: delivering direct, measurable solutions to water insecurity in Canada.
the impact to date
the metrics
in the media...
outreach model
Operating on a regular daily delivery schedule:
- 14,784 bottles delivered
(616 cases | 7,392 litres | 18,480 pounds)
- 250+ people served per day
- 2,469 kilometres traveled to reach people where they live
- Cost per bottle: 12¢
- Cost per client (60 days): $10.80
outreach model
in the media...
outreach model
A high-impact delivery model:
- 14 volunteers
- serving 12 encampments
- hundreds of safe and dignified face-to-face encounters with our most vulnerable people.
- 78 percent of Thunder Bay's unhoused are Indigenous people.
in the media...
in the media...
in the media...
As reported by CBC News (September 9, 2025):
“A retired peacekeeper in Thunder Bay has turned his attention from global conflicts to a local issue: water insecurity… Since the summer, volunteers have handed out more than 14,000 bottles.”
simple. efficient. safe.
This disciplined model delivers immediate, measurable impact while demonstrating exceptional efficiency and stewardship of resources.
reconciliation in action
In Thunder Bay, a significant proportion of individuals experiencing homelessness—approximately 78%—identify as Indigenous. Nationally, Indigenous people represent about 5% of the population, yet account for approximately 35% of those experiencing homelessness.
I WAS THIRSTY operates with an awareness of this reality.
By providing consistent, respectful, and barrier-free access to clean drinking water, the initiative supports dignity, health, and basic human needs for Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals alike.
This work reflects a practical, community-level response aligned with the principles of reconciliation—meeting people where they are and helping to ensure equitable access to essential resources.
ONE BOTTLE of water. one person at a time.
A simple idea addressing a critical gap in canada
In a country with one of the largest freshwater supplies in the world, many unsheltered individuals lack reliable access to safe drinking water.
I WAS THIRSTY is a volunteer-led initiative delivering bottled water directly to people living in encampments and public spaces, meeting an urgent need not addressed by existing services.
Through a scalable, ultra-low-cost, volunteer-driven model, I WAS THIRSTY delivers consistent, measurable impact— restoring dignity while addressing a critical and previously unmet need in Canadian communities.
the problem: water insecurity among the unsheltered
Across Canada, individuals living outside formal shelter systems often have no consistent access to safe drinking water. This gap creates serious public health risks, including dehydration, heat-related illness, and increased reliance on unsafe water sources and added pressure on emergency services.
the response: direct, consistent, and human
I WAS THIRSTY delivers water directly to individuals where they are—quietly, consistently, and without barriers. Operating entirely through volunteers and community support, the initiative provides daily outreach, works toward reconciliation and restores dignity through direct human connection, and ensures access to a basic necessity.
This ultra-low-cost, high-volume approach functions as a practical public health intervention while addressing a critical and unmet need.
measured impact - INNOVATION, STEWARDSHIP AND SCALABILITY
Since its launch in 2025, I WAS THIRSTY has demonstrated how a small, focused initiative can deliver sustained humanitarian impact at scale.
Through a volunteer-driven model and precise, route-based delivery, the initiative achieves high-volume results at minimal cost—offering a practical, replicable solution to water insecurity in Canadian communities.
a critical service gap filled
Programs that consistently provide direct, mobile delivery of drinking water to unsheltered individuals living outside formal services remain rare.
I WAS THIRSTY fills this gap.
Frontline observations and community feedback confirm that this service meets an urgent need that would otherwise go unaddressed.
why it matters
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right.
Our First Peoples are over represented in our unsheltered population.
Ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society are not left without this basic necessity reflects both humanitarian responsibility and core Canadian values.
MEDIA RECOGNITION
- CBC News (Sept 9, 2025) – A retired peacekeeper addresses water insecurity in Thunder Bay
- TB Newswatch – Local outreach delivers water along with dignity
- The Chronicle Journal – Bringing water and dignity to the streets
These independent reports confirm both the need for and the impact of the initiative.
https://nihc-cnasa.ca/this-thunder-bay-group-is-helping-the-community-14000-water-bottles-at-a-time/
(See THE SPLASH page for more details)
a model for canada
While based in Thunder Bay, the I WAS THIRSTY model is simple, scalable, and replicable.
With minimal resources and clear operational structure, communities across Canada can adopt this approach to address water insecurity among unsheltered populations.
NAVIGATE YOUR DONATION
Click on the "Donate" button, below.
On the St. Andrew's page click "Donate Once".
Choose a fund to direct your donation.
Select "I WAS THIRSTY".
rooted in thunder bay. built for canada
Rooted in Thunder Bay, with a model designed for replication across Canada.
You can cause a ripple
Help Our Cause
Your support will fund our mission. All financial donations are administered by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and through Canada Helps. Charitable tax receipts are issued.
