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.
I WAS THIRSTY is a Canadian-built, scalable outreach model addressing water insecurity among vulnerable and Indigenous populations—a pressing public health and equity issue across the country.
Through a barrier-free, ultra-low-cost, volunteer-driven model, the initiative delivers life-sustaining water at just 12 cents per bottle, establishing a replicable, professional standard for communities nationwide.
This initiative demonstrates how a simple, low-cost intervention can deliver life-sustaining impact while addressing a critical gap in Canada’s public health response to homelessness.
the impact to date
measured impact and delivery model
Operating a high-impact delivery model on a consistent daily schedule:
- 14,784 bottles delivered
(616 cases | 7,392 litres | 18,480 pounds)
- 250+ people served per day
- 2,469 km traveled to reach people where they live
- Cost per bottle: 12¢
- Cost per client (60 days): $10.80
- 14 volunteers
- serving 12 encampments
- thousands of safe and dignified face-to-face encounters with our most vulnerable people.
This disciplined, route-based model ensures efficient and consistent delivery while maintaining safety, dignity, and accountability in all operations.
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.”
reconciliation in action
In Thunder Bay, 78% of individuals experiencing homelessness identify as Indigenous.
Nationally, Indigenous people represent about 5% of the population, yet account for approximately 35% of those experiencing homelessness.
I WAS THIRSTY applies a reconciliation-informed outreach model, demonstrating how respectful, barrier-free service can advance equity, dignity, and access to essential resources for disproportionately affected populations.
This work reflects a practical, community-level response aligned with the principles of reconciliation —meeting people where they are with a model that can be applied across Canada.
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.
Existing services rarely provide direct, mobile water delivery.
I WAS THIRSTY fills this critical service gap.
Through a scalable, ultra-low-cost model, the initiative delivers consistent, measurable impact while restoring dignity and addressing an urgent and previously unmet need.
the problem: water insecurity among the unsheltered
Across Canada, unsheltered individuals face significant barriers to accessing safe drinking water, creating serious public health risks, including dehydration, heat-related illness, and increased reliance on unsafe water sources.
Existing services rarely provide direct, mobile water delivery. I WAS THIRSTY fills this critical gap effectively and sustainably.
the response: direct, consistent, and human
I WAS THIRSTY delivers water directly to individuals where they are—consistently, safely, and without barriers. This volunteer-driven model functions as a practical public health intervention while restoring dignity through human connection.
This ultra-low-cost, high-volume approach delivers measurable impact 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 focused, volunteer-driven initiative can deliver sustained humanitarian impact at scale.
Through precise, route-based logistics and disciplined operations, the initiative achieves high-volume results at minimal cost—offering a practical, efficient, and 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.
Indigenous people are disproportionately represented among Canada’s unsheltered population.
Ensuring access to this basic necessity reflects both Canada’s core humanitarian values and its commitment to equity and reconciliation.
MEDIA RECOGNITION
Independent media coverage confirms the initiative’s effectiveness and its model-setting role in addressing water insecurity professionally and compassionately.
- CBC News – A retired peacekeeper addresses water insecurity
- TB Newswatch – Local outreach delivers water along with dignity
- The Chronicle Journal – Bringing water and dignity to the streets
(See THE SPLASH page for more details)
a model for canada
While based in Thunder Bay, I WAS THIRSTY demonstrates a model that can be adopted in communities across Canada.
With minimal resources and a clear operational structure, the initiative provides consistent, dignified access to water while reflecting national priorities and Canadian values in public health, equity, and reconciliation, while demonstrating responsible stewardship in serving unsheltered populations.
This model establishes a practical and scalable standard for addressing water insecurity nationwide.
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.
