When I retired from my Reserve Force career—hanging up my boots for the last time in April of 2025 it marked the final chapter in a lifetime of uniformed public service - - first in policing, then in international peacekeeping and in the military. I believed I had witnessed the full spectrum of human hardship. Nothing had prepared me for the quiet suffering I realized was occurring day after day, right here in my own city.
It happened while driving past an encampment near Simpson Street. I paused and thought:
I’ve seen this before.
Not in Thunder Bay, but in South Sudan, in Palestine—places where water insecurity isn’t an emergency, it’s a fact of daily life.
A line from Scripture came to mind:
“For I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink…”
That moment influenced me deeply—and became the rallying cry for I Was Thirsty.
Since July 2025, our small, volunteer-driven outreach has delivered more than 14,000 bottles of water—one case, one bottle, one person at a time. We’ve travelled more than 2,300 kilometres—using personal vehicles, with no paid staff. We’ve reached people living in tents, makeshift shelters, and along city sidewalks—vulnerable people too often forgotten.
But this mission isn’t just about hydration. It’s about dignity. It’s about being seen.
I’ll never forget something one of our clients, Ashley, once said:
“Nobody ever asks me my name anymore.”
That moment confirmed what I had always known in my heart:
This work isn’t just about clean water — it’s about human connection.
I'm nearly 66 years old, I'm not especially tech-savvy - - but I built this website myself and maintain it independently. It is updated regularly with every delivery and every donation. From the ground up, I’ve raised every dollar through personal outreach by word of mouth, church networks, and the generosity of friends and strangers. I use my own truck, on my own dime, and I’ve personally delivered—or arranged delivery—for every single bottle we’ve handed out.
But I have not done this alone.
With support of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church - - our charitable partner - - who stepped forward immediately, the mission was launched without bureaucracy or overhead. We have zero paid staff but we have dedicated volunteers—young and old—who have joined me on the road, delivering water on city streets. Every cent goes to water and every action is driven by compassion. Together, we’ve delivered more than 6,800 litres water to 12 unique encampments provided hundreds of safe, personal face to face connections. We've built something small and simple, yet deeply meaningful.
And this is only the beginning.
We’ve developed public educational resources and a dedicated Truth and Reconciliation page. These tools help us speak not just to need—but to justice because over 78% of those we serve are Indigenous—that isn’t accidental—it reflects generations of systemic inequality and water security in Canada is as much a matter of justice as it is charity.
What began as a small local project has the potential to become a national movement. That’s why we’ve created a Replication Guide—free and open to anyone who wants to bring I Was Thirsty to their own community, because this isn’t a Thunder Bay problem. Communities across Canada can launch their own version of I Was Thirsty and we will help.
We don’t have an office. We don’t have paid staff. We don’t have red tape. We just have people who care, helping people in need. We have a truck, water, and a mission.
Every day, I’m reminded of how simple it can be to make a difference - - a bottle of water, and a reminder that someone still cares.
If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll see I Was Thirsty for what it is:
A way for ordinary people to do something extraordinary—starting with a single bottle of water.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more. If you’d like to join us—by volunteering, donating, or simply sharing the story—please reach out.
We’ll be on the road.
You’re welcome to join us.
Because someone, somewhere, is still thirsty.
With gratitude,
Lorne Clifford
Founder, I Was Thirsty
Thunder Bay, Ontario
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