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a new PHILANTHROPIC partner JOINS I WAS THIRSTY!
We are pleased to welcome the CERSON UMBRELLA FOUNDATION as a donor and philanthropic partner of I WAS THIRSTY!
The Foundation's support will help us continue our grassroots mission of providing bottled drinking water to people experiencing vulnerability and living in encampments across Thunder Bay.
There is also a personal connection behind this partnership. Casey Cerson is a friend and colleague of I WAS THIRSTY founder, Lorne Clifford. The two first met and became friends through the RCMP National Capital Region Pipes, Drums and Dancers in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. where their shared connection to music and service brought them together.
That friendship has grown beyond the pipe band community, and we are delighted to report that Casey, who is based in Perth Ontario, and the CERSON UMBRELLA FOUNDATION have chosen to support I WAS THIRSTY and the people we serve.
Since I WAS THIRSTY began, this simple idea has grown through the generosity of volunteers, community organizations, businesses and individual donors. Every contribution helps us put something essential into the hands of someone who needs it: clean safe drinking water.
We are grateful to Casey and the CERSON UMBRELLA FOUNDATION for believing in the mission and choosing to stand alongside our volunteers and community partners. Sometimes meaningful change begins with a simple act of kindness- and a dear friend who believes in the cause!
2026 delivery launch !
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
Dean, a long time and dedicated mission volunteer and I finished our delivery on the south side.
I got him home - he had plans to take his bride out for the evening - he was pretty excited for his wife who is a huge fan - going to see a Canadian icon who was in town for a show. I went alone to get the resupply for our very last delivery for the year - that will happen tomorrow evening.
I’ve been feeling really good about the mission lately and what we have been doing and what we have accomplished this year.
There was no water at our usual supplier today, so I started looking elsewhere.
The fourth store I went to had what we needed. I loaded 18 cases of bottled water onto a rolling cart and started making my way through the store.
I was wearing my I Was Thirsty hat and fluorescent safety vest. It has previously caused conversations to start. A man stopped me and, quite reasonably, asked what I was doing with all the water. For certain, 18 cases on one cart is an unusual sight.
I told him about I Was Thirsty - what our mission was about and that we had been going into the encampments every day over the summer delivering water to people who were living there. Tomorrow was our last day.
His response really surprised me.
He told me he resented what I was doing.
His words were snappy and he didn’t hold back. He said that ordinary people had to spend their money and that resources were being wasted on “those people”.
I told him that I had been in the encampments every day and asked if he had ever been there.
He didn’t need to respond to my question.
He continued with his anger and his rant.
I simply told him that we all need water to live.
When we left the store, he turned left and I went right. As he walked away, he shouted:
“They should never have closed the psych hospital. They could use that place to house all those fuckers.”
I didn’t argue with him.
I simply said, “God bless you today, sir.”
And then I walked to my truck, pushing 500 pounds of water.
What stayed with me wasn’t really what he said. It was the anger behind it.
Where does that kind of anger toward homelessness, mental illness and addiction come from?
Perhaps it comes from frustration. Perhaps fear. Perhaps experiences I know nothing about. Perhaps he has been affected personally by homelessness or addiction. I don’t know. Perhaps it has hurt him.
What I do know is that it is very easy to form a hate-filled generalized opinion about people we don’t know, particularly when we don’t have to look them in the eye.
I’ve spent enough time in the encampments know to know that the people there are not a “category” of people.
They are simply, people.
And regardless of why someone is homeless, struggling with addiction, living with mental illness, or simply having fallen through the cracks, they still need water.
We all do.
Then something happened that I won’t forget.
I got to my truck and started loading the water.
A man wearing a local car dealership shirt walked over.
He saw what I was doing and started picking up cases.
“It goes a lot faster with two,” he said.
His name was Gary.
There were 18 cases - about 500 pounds of water - and together we loaded them into the truck in what seemed like no time.
Gary overheard the entire exchange. He didn’t give me a speech.
He didn’t ask whether the people receiving the water deserved it.
He didn’t ask what their choices had been.
He saw someone doing a job and decided to help.
Two encounters.
One filled with anger.
One filled with kindness.
Both happened in the same parking lot, on the same day, just moments apart, in the same community.
I don’t know what happened in that first man’s life to make him so angry.
And I don’t know what happened in Gary’s life to make him stop and help a stranger.
But I do know this:
We can’t solve homelessness, mental illness or addiction by deciding that some people are no longer worthy of basic human necessities. Some of us are just lucky in our life decisions, our physiology and our past. Others have a different history.
Sometimes the first thing we can do is much simpler.
Give someone a bottle of water.
And sometimes, even when we’re lucky, someone just gives us a hand carrying it.
28 AUGUST - THE MOMENTUM CONTINUES...
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
A GROUP OF THANKFUL CLIENTS TODAY...
Today reinforced what this mission is all about.
We were met by Kyle at the top of the hill at the McVicar’s Creek site.
He was a tall, thin man, his hands stained and his nails dirty and broken. His fingers were swollen, bearing the unmistakable signs of someone who has spent far too much time living outdoors and enduring the elements.
There were six cases of water in the truck. Kyle picked up three and asked me to stack a fourth on top. I objected, handed one of the cases to Alasdair, and picked up two myself from the heat-shrunk bundle at the end of the load.
The three of us slowly made our way down the hill into the encampment. We knew there were about 45 people living at the site.
Partway down, Kyle turned to me.
“You are really helping us. Really. It makes a difference.”
He stopped and moved the cases of water we had left on the ground.
“We keep it out of the sun,” he said. “Sometimes we actually put it in the creek. That keeps it cold.”
It was such a simple thing, but it stayed with me. Water is something most of us take completely for granted. For Kyle and the others, keeping a case of bottled water cold was worth the extra effort.
As Alasdair and I walked back up the hill, several people called out their thanks. Nothing elaborate. Just simple, genuine expressions of appreciation.
Then we headed to Freedom Park.
As we rolled into the site, three men made their way toward the truck.
The first was thin and frail, his skin pale and his face covered in sweat. His speech was slurred, and he could barely get the words out as he asked if we had any water. We handed him some.
The second man came running about 60 feet straight toward us. He was dressed only in a pair of black underwear and dark, dirty ankle socks.
“Do you have water today?”
We gave him a case.
He stopped, looked at me and asked my name.
I told him.
“My name’s TJ,” he said.
Then he smiled and walked away, carrying his case of water.
The third man was tall and wiry, with sinewy arms and a gaunt face framed by long hair pulled back into a ponytail. He smiled as he picked up three cases.
Then he looked at us and asked, almost casually:
“Do you have any food?”
And just like that, the water run became about something much bigger than water.
Three men. Three very different stories. Three simple encounters that lasted only a few moments.
But they were people who were seen, listened to and helped that day.
Sometimes, that is where the difference begins.
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
STILL GOING STRONG WITH BIG NEWS!
As of July 31, we are 61 days into the 2026 I WAS THIRSTY mission—we are still going strong.
674 cases of water delivered
16,176 bottles (8.088 litres) of safe drinking water
17,831 pounds of water distributed
1,588 kilometres travelled
We have met with encampment leaders with the City of Thunder Bay and are coordinating our efforts.
We have been managing some very hot days and extremely smokey conditions creating significant air quality issues due to forest fires. Our out-reach continued without interruption!
I WAS THIRSTY is resolving the distribution issue - water is being delivered directly into the hands of the people who need it most, wrapped in dignity and compassion and without judgement.
I'm thrilled to report that a philanthropic partner has just committed to the I WAS THRSTY MISSION. More info to follow!
In the mean time, team leaders AJ and Aiden have provided leadership and guidance demonstrating how this mission can be driven forward under careful and dedicated guidance.
New volunteers have signed on in the last two weeks!
Your support of this mission is making a real difference every single day.
Thank you for helping us turn compassion into action.
We are still looking to welcome you to volunteer, donate or to share this story!
Thank you AJ, Aiden and the City of Thunder Bay!
37 DAYS IN AND WE ARE ROCKING IT!
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
WE ARE ROCKING IT!
As of July 7—just 37 days into the I WAS THIRSTY mission—we've reached an incredible milestone!
400 cases of water delivered
9,600 bottles (4,800 litres) of safe drinking water
10,582 pounds of water distributed
1,025 kilometres travelled
Every bottle has been delivered directly to vulnerable people where they are - in encampments or on the streets of Thunder Bay.
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human need, and together we're making sure no one is forgotten.
Our mission continues to grow through amazing community partnerships. We're proud to be working with EcoSuperior for garbage bags, and we're thrilled to have Walmart (1101 West Arthur Street) as our primary water supplier for the remainder of the season.
And we're not done yet...
We're currently working on another partnership—one that could be even bigger! Stay tuned!
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, generous donors, dedicated team leaders, and everyone who believes in this mission. Your support is making a real difference every single day.
Thank you for helping us turn compassion into action.
You are welcome to volunteer, donate or to share this story!
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE I WAS THIRSTY MISSION!
We are thrilled to announce that the Manager - Sinthu at Walmart #1165 at 1101 West Arthur Street in Thunder Bay has has notified us that they have joined the I WAS THIRSTY mission as a valued community partner and is now our primary water supplier for the remainder of the season!
This incredible partnership ensures that we can continue providing a reliable daily supply of bottled water to those who need it most. Walmart’s commitment to helping keep water available and in stock is a tremendous boost to our ability to serve our community.
This partnership will make a significant difference operationally. Our volunteers will no longer need to spend valuable time travelling throughout the city searching for available supplies of water each day.
Instead, they can focus their time and energy where it matters most — delivering water directly to those who need it.
What began as a simple mission to help people stay hydrated has grown into a true community effort built on compassion, partnership, and a shared commitment to helping others.
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Walmart for believing in this mission and stepping forward to support our community.
Together — with our volunteers, supporters, and community partners — we will continue to deliver water:
One case.
One bottle.
One person at a time.
Thank you, Sinthu, and Walmart #1165, for helping us make a difference!
THE FIRST 30 days of 2026
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
JUNE DELIVERY - 30 DAYS DONE - NEW ENCAMPMENTS - NEW CLIENTS - NEW VOLUNTEERS AND SOME WISHFUL THINKING
30 days.
343 cases / 8,232 bottles / 4,116 litres of water / 9,074 pounds delivered.
854 kilometres travelled
When I loaded the first cases of water into my vehicle in the spring of 2025, I thought this would be a stopgap. A way to help fill a void until things got better.
We are a full year later, and instead, the gap has only grown.
Here we are, one third the way through the 2026 mission. I tell myself maybe this will be the month we see fewer people. Maybe this will be the month there are fewer encampments to visit, fewer new faces to meet, fewer people who are simply trying to make it through another hot day (we have already experienced temperatures of 29 C) without access to clean drinking water.
That hasn't happened.
This month brought new encampments. New clients. New volunteers. It also brought the familiar faces I've come to know - people who greet us by name, ask how we're doing before telling us how they're doing, and remind me that this work has never really been about water.
Water is the reason we arrive. Human connection is the reason we keep coming back.
There are moments that stay with me long after the last case has been unloaded.
A simple "thank you." Someone making sure the person beside them gets a bottle before they do. Someone saying, "I wasn't sure you'd be here today."
Those are the moments that remind me why we keep showing up.
I wish this wasn't necessary. I wish these numbers were getting smaller instead of staying the same. I wish no one had to depend on a volunteer-run effort for something as fundamental as drinking water.
But wishing doesn't fill this need.
So we keep going.
We drive the kilometres. We lift the cases. We make the deliveries. And because of an incredible community of donors and volunteers, we're able to show people that someone remembered them today.
To everyone who has supported I Was Thirsty - whether you've donated, volunteered, shared our story, or simply believed in what we're doing - thank you. Every bottle we hand out carries a little piece of your kindness with it.
I still hope for the day when these updates aren't needed anymore.
Until that day comes, you'll find us where we've always been - showing up and on the road.
Because someone, somewhere, is still thirsty.
Please, volunteer, donate or just share the story.
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
The numbers for the first weeks of the outreach mission tell part of the story:
273 cases
6,552 bottles
3,276 litres of water
7,222 pounds delivered
727 kilometres travelled
But behind every bottle is a person and a story.
During this week’s deliveries, we returned to the McVicar’s Creek site where we were greeted by Mike — a short, stocky man with thick red hair and a beard that looks like he stepped out of a Tolkien story. Mike carries the scars of survival, including the loss of many of his fingers due to exposure, but what stands out most is his spirit.
Mike has become a familiar face and a trusted liaison at the site. He welcomes us with a smile, helps identify who is in the greatest need, and works alongside us as we carry the water down the hill into the living area. He is genuinely happy to see us arrive and eager to help others around him.
Mike shared something that is difficult to hear - although they live beside a river, the water is not safe to drink. Access to clean water is not a convenience; it is a daily challenge.
At the Kam River site, we met again with a young Indigenous woman, Ashleigh, who always greets us with a smile. This week she shared how important this mission has become for her and others living there. She explained that finding safe water is extremely difficult. Many people spend their days searching for firewood so they can keep a fire going and boil water just to make it safer.
Without access to clean water, some are forced to rely on the Kaministiquia River - only a short distance downstream from the paper mill - knowing the water is not safe to drink. This is not the first time we have been told of people drinking straight out of the Kam without filtration.
After we delivered water and spent time listening, she looked at us and said:
“You are keeping us alive. God bless you - I really mean it - God bless you.”
Those words capture why I Was Thirsty exists.
This mission is not only about delivering water.
It is about dignity, compassion, and reminding people that they are seen.
Every bottle represents a connection, every kilometre represents commitment, and every conversation reminds us that humanity begins with just showing up.
five thousand pounds of water!!!!
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
189 CASES | 4,536 BOTTLES | 522 KILOMETRES | 5,000 POUNDS OF WATER AND REAL CONNECTIONS.
Today marks a landmark moment in the 2026 “I Was Thirsty” mission.
In just 16 days, we have delivered more than 5,000 pounds of water into the community.
The need remains evident. To improve consistency, reach, and efficiency, we have now established two defined delivery routes - Thunder Bay North and Thunder Bay South - servicing each route every other day. This approach allows us to better manage our time, distance, and the needs of those we serve.
The numbers tell part of the story:
189 cases. 4,536 bottles. 522 kilometres. More than 5,000 pounds of water.
The true measure of this mission is found in the people behind the numbers.
Through our conversations, the daily requests remain consistent - food, snacks, soap, tooth brushes, garbage bags, recycling bags, socks, wet wipes, sun hats, lip balm, and other basic necessities. The need extends well beyond water.
Today we delivered to Toby again. When we asked where his geese were, he told us they were “taking the day off.” We found him sweeping around his site with a broom head that no longer had a handle. His site was orderly and tidy. Proudly, he explained that he had discovered a rabbit hole and was filling it in. When I asked him why, he smiled with an infectious grin and replied, “I’m going to catch it.” It was a simple moment, but it reflected the importance of returning, reconnecting, and building relationships over time. The mission is not only about providing water — it is about showing people that they are remembered and that someone cares enough to come back.
Today I was relieved to see Levi for the first time since our deliveries began this year.
Levi is disabled, physically frail, and carries the visible signs of a difficult life on his weathered face. His face and hands reflect years of hardship, yet every time we see him he greets us with kindness and a smile. Levi is quiet and does not ask for much. He is an older Indigenous man with kind eyes, and he is one of the individuals we look for when we are on the south side - not because he demands attention, but because he deserves to know that he has not been forgotten. He is one of the people who seems to need an extra measure of care and support. Whenever we are on the south side, I find myself looking for him - hoping he is there, hoping he is okay, and relieved when I see him.
Levi was sitting outside St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. I handed him three single bottles. My heart sank when he told us that someone had taken his walker.
The mission has become about much more than delivering a basic necessity. It is about consistent presence, real human connection, and restoring dignity to people who are often unseen or forgotten.
Young and old, stories are shared, and connections are made.
Beyond the water, the mission is measured in conversations, trust built over time, and the simple act of showing up.
Every bottle matters.
Every encounter matters.
Every person matters.
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
Reconnecting, Remembering, and Restoring Hope — The First Fourteen Days of the 2026 Outreach Mission
Outside of the success of the qualitative data, embedded in the first fourteen days of the 2026 outreach mission, have been given us the opportunity to reconnect with people we met during our 2025 efforts, hear their stories of survival, and better understand the realities of living unhoused over an entire year.
One of those connections is Tony, a young man we first met living in Kam Heritage Park during the summer of 2025. After weeks of building trust and rapport, Tony began playing catch with us using his most prized possession — his football.
When we returned in June 2026, Tony was excited to share what had become important in his daily life. He told us about the relationship he had built with the geese living along the banks of the Kam. He described how they now eat from his hand and how they alert him when people approach his camp. He proudly pointed out to us to the male leader of the flock, “the General,” and the General’s partner, “his lady.”
These moments remind us that connection, trust, and companionship exist even in the most difficult circumstances.
We also reconnected with Chester at the Friendship Park site. During our conversation, he shared the heartbreaking news about Katelyn. These encounters are not just about delivering water - they are about maintaining relationships, listening, and standing with people through both difficult and meaningful moments in their lives.
Throughout this mission, we have connected with dozens of individuals who gather outside the PACE (People Advocating Change through Empowerment) headquarters while waiting for Shelter House across the street, to open.
One encounter that has stayed with us is with Morris, a young Indigenous man experiencing homelessness. His hands showed the visible impacts of prolonged environmental exposure and the harsh conditions of life without stable shelter, access to hygiene resources, and consistent medical care.
Sitting apart from, but surrounded by, others navigating their own struggles — including survival sex work, substance use, and profound social isolation — Morris shared something deeply personal.
When we first met him, he told us:
“I don’t matter. My life doesn’t matter.”
Over several encounters, while providing a single bottle of water to help him get through the day, we continued to remind him that he mattered, that we saw him, and that we cared about him.
During our most recent conversation, Morris smiled and told us that, for a moment, we made him feel important.
That moment matters.
When people experiencing homelessness say they have “given up,” it is often not a reflection of a lack of effort or desire to live differently. It can be the result of years of overwhelming survival pressures, repeated barriers, stigma, trauma, and exhaustion from trying to navigate systems that have repeatedly failed them.
Yet even in these circumstances, people continue to find ways to survive, connect, and seek dignity.
Every bottle matters.
Every encounter matters.
Every person matters.
IN MEMORIAM
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
Remembering Katelyn
It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Katelyn, a member of the I Was Thirsty community and a recipient of support through our mission.
Many of our volunteers came to know Katelyn through our outreach efforts and through her relationship with Chester. Her passing is deeply felt by those who knew her.
We've extend our sincere condolences to Chester, and offer peace and healing to Katelyn's family, and her friends during this difficult time.
On behalf of everyone at I Was Thirsty, we are grateful to have known Katelyn and will remember her with respect and compassion.
Rest in peace, Katelyn.
WEEK ONE - DONE!
SOME AMAZING STORIES THIS WEEK... THROWING STARFISH
Traveling over 300 kms with 99 cases delivered this week (that's 2,376 bottles, or 1,188 litres, or 2,613 pounds), with a group of new volunteers (Luke, Jason and Victor) and some seasoned ones, (Dean, Aiden, AJ and Sofia) and we are off to an amazing start!
This week we met a Canadian Forces Afghanistan veteran, Rod, who, living unhoused on the Southside, kindly shared his story with us. It was all too familiar.
We commenced deliveries to new encampments and to the ones we are familiar with. We met some clients we saw during last year's mission, Tony, and Real, and they were exceedingly happy to see us and have our support.
Every where we go, people are grateful to have fresh water delivered to where they are.
We are pleased to have support of ECOSUPERIOR who have provided us with bags and gloves making a real impact on the impact of single use water bottles.
This year we are focusing on the timeless tale, adapted from Loren Eiseley’s essay "The Star Thrower," that reminds us that individual, compassionate actions matter.
Even when faced with overwhelming challenges, making a difference to even a single person or living thing is deeply meaningful.
"A man was walking along a deserted beach at dawn and noticed a young girl in the distance. As he got closer, he saw her repeatedly reaching down, picking up starfish that had washed ashore, and tossing them gently back into the ocean.
Curious, the man approached and asked what she was doing. She replied that the tide was low, and if she didn't return the starfish to the water, they would die from the heat and lack of oxygen.
The man looked along the expansive coastline and shook his head. He pointed out that there were thousands of starfish stranded on the beach, and likely millions more up and down the coast. He challenged her by saying, "You can't possibly save them all. Can't you see that you really cannot make a difference?"
The little girl listened politely, smiled, and bent down to pick up another starfish. As she threw it safely past the breaking waves, she replied:
"Well, it made a difference to that one."
When we are faced with an overwhelming problem, we are often stunned by simple wisdom.
Together, we can turn a seemingly hopeless situation into a collective success.
Come be part of the story—and part of the solution.
One person. One bottle. One act of kindness at a time.
new encampments, new volunteers
I WAS THIRSTY – 2026 Mission Update
On 1 June, site visits were completed and preparations finalized for the launch of the 2026 I WAS THIRSTY mission. Water deliveries commenced on 2 June. With new volunteers Jason Pham and Luke Roberge joining the team on 2 and 3 June, I WAS THIRSTY began its first deliveries across the city.
The need for safe drinking water remains significant. On 2 June, with 14 cases of water, we began the important work of meeting people, building trust, and entering encampments with a simple and familiar greeting:
"Hey! We've got some water for you today!"
It quickly became apparent that the need was greater than we had anticipated. New encampment locations were identified, existing sites had grown, and more people were living outdoors than expected.
On 3 June, with 16 cases of water, we continued our outreach, meeting people where they are—where they live, where they shelter, and where they are found on the streets.
Every bottle delivered represents more than hydration; it is a point of human connection, dignity, and compassion.
The mission continues throughout June, July, and August as we work toward our goal of delivering 20,000 bottles of water to those who need them most.
Come be part of the story—and part of the solution.
One person. One bottle. One act of kindness at a time.
2026 delivery launch !
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
Dean, a long time and dedicated mission volunteer and I finished our delivery on the south side.
I got him home - he had plans to take his bride out for the evening - he was pretty excited for his wife who is a huge fan - going to see a Canadian icon who was in town for a show. I went alone to get the resupply for our very last delivery for the year - that will happen tomorrow evening.
I’ve been feeling really good about the mission lately and what we have been doing and what we have accomplished this year.
There was no water at our usual supplier today, so I started looking elsewhere.
The fourth store I went to had what we needed. I loaded 18 cases of bottled water onto a rolling cart and started making my way through the store.
I was wearing my I Was Thirsty hat and fluorescent safety vest. It has previously caused conversations to start. A man stopped me and, quite reasonably, asked what I was doing with all the water. For certain, 18 cases on one cart is an unusual sight.
I told him about I Was Thirsty - what our mission was about and that we had been going into the encampments every day over the summer delivering water to people who were living there. Tomorrow was our last day.
His response really surprised me.
He told me he resented what I was doing.
His words were snappy and he didn’t hold back. He said that ordinary people had to spend their money and that resources were being wasted on “those people”.
I told him that I had been in the encampments every day and asked if he had ever been there.
He didn’t need to respond to my question.
He continued with his anger and his rant.
I simply told him that we all need water to live.
When we left the store, he turned left and I went right. As he walked away, he shouted:
“They should never have closed the psych hospital. They could use that place to house all those fuckers.”
I didn’t argue with him.
I simply said, “God bless you today, sir.”
And then I walked to my truck, pushing 500 pounds of water.
What stayed with me wasn’t really what he said. It was the anger behind it.
Where does that kind of anger toward homelessness, mental illness and addiction come from?
Perhaps it comes from frustration. Perhaps fear. Perhaps experiences I know nothing about. Perhaps he has been affected personally by homelessness or addiction. I don’t know. Perhaps it has hurt him.
What I do know is that it is very easy to form a hate-filled generalized opinion about people we don’t know, particularly when we don’t have to look them in the eye.
I’ve spent enough time in the encampments know to know that the people there are not a “category” of people.
They are simply, people.
And regardless of why someone is homeless, struggling with addiction, living with mental illness, or simply having fallen through the cracks, they still need water.
We all do.
Then something happened that I won’t forget.
I got to my truck and started loading the water.
A man wearing a local car dealership shirt walked over.
He saw what I was doing and started picking up cases.
“It goes a lot faster with two,” he said.
His name was Gary.
There were 18 cases - about 500 pounds of water - and together we loaded them into the truck in what seemed like no time.
Gary overheard the entire exchange. He didn’t give me a speech.
He didn’t ask whether the people receiving the water deserved it.
He didn’t ask what their choices had been.
He saw someone doing a job and decided to help.
Two encounters.
One filled with anger.
One filled with kindness.
Both happened in the same parking lot, on the same day, just moments apart, in the same community.
I don’t know what happened in that first man’s life to make him so angry.
And I don’t know what happened in Gary’s life to make him stop and help a stranger.
But I do know this:
We can’t solve homelessness, mental illness or addiction by deciding that some people are no longer worthy of basic human necessities. Some of us are just lucky in our life decisions, our physiology and our past. Others have a different history.
Sometimes the first thing we can do is much simpler.
Give someone a bottle of water.
And sometimes, even when we’re lucky, someone just gives us a hand carrying it.
28 AUGUST - THE MOMENTUM CONTINUES...
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
Two Contradicting Encounters at the Big Box Store.
A GROUP OF THANKFUL CLIENTS TODAY...
Today reinforced what this mission is all about.
We were met by Kyle at the top of the hill at the McVicar’s Creek site.
He was a tall, thin man, his hands stained and his nails dirty and broken. His fingers were swollen, bearing the unmistakable signs of someone who has spent far too much time living outdoors and enduring the elements.
There were six cases of water in the truck. Kyle picked up three and asked me to stack a fourth on top. I objected, handed one of the cases to Alasdair, and picked up two myself from the heat-shrunk bundle at the end of the load.
The three of us slowly made our way down the hill into the encampment. We knew there were about 45 people living at the site.
Partway down, Kyle turned to me.
“You are really helping us. Really. It makes a difference.”
He stopped and moved the cases of water we had left on the ground.
“We keep it out of the sun,” he said. “Sometimes we actually put it in the creek. That keeps it cold.”
It was such a simple thing, but it stayed with me. Water is something most of us take completely for granted. For Kyle and the others, keeping a case of bottled water cold was worth the extra effort.
As Alasdair and I walked back up the hill, several people called out their thanks. Nothing elaborate. Just simple, genuine expressions of appreciation.
Then we headed to Freedom Park.
As we rolled into the site, three men made their way toward the truck.
The first was thin and frail, his skin pale and his face covered in sweat. His speech was slurred, and he could barely get the words out as he asked if we had any water. We handed him some.
The second man came running about 60 feet straight toward us. He was dressed only in a pair of black underwear and dark, dirty ankle socks.
“Do you have water today?”
We gave him a case.
He stopped, looked at me and asked my name.
I told him.
“My name’s TJ,” he said.
Then he smiled and walked away, carrying his case of water.
The third man was tall and wiry, with sinewy arms and a gaunt face framed by long hair pulled back into a ponytail. He smiled as he picked up three cases.
Then he looked at us and asked, almost casually:
“Do you have any food?”
And just like that, the water run became about something much bigger than water.
Three men. Three very different stories. Three simple encounters that lasted only a few moments.
But they were people who were seen, listened to and helped that day.
Sometimes, that is where the difference begins.
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
STILL GOING STRONG WITH BIG NEWS!
As of July 31, we are 61 days into the 2026 I WAS THIRSTY mission—we are still going strong.
674 cases of water delivered
16,176 bottles (8.088 litres) of safe drinking water
17,831 pounds of water distributed
1,588 kilometres travelled
We have met with encampment leaders with the City of Thunder Bay and are coordinating our efforts.
We have been managing some very hot days and extremely smokey conditions creating significant air quality issues due to forest fires. Our out-reach continued without interruption!
I WAS THIRSTY is resolving the distribution issue - water is being delivered directly into the hands of the people who need it most, wrapped in dignity and compassion and without judgement.
I'm thrilled to report that a philanthropic partner has just committed to the I WAS THRSTY MISSION. More info to follow!
In the mean time, team leaders AJ and Aiden have provided leadership and guidance demonstrating how this mission can be driven forward under careful and dedicated guidance.
New volunteers have signed on in the last two weeks!
Your support of this mission is making a real difference every single day.
Thank you for helping us turn compassion into action.
We are still looking to welcome you to volunteer, donate or to share this story!
Thank you AJ, Aiden and the City of Thunder Bay!
37 DAYS IN AND WE ARE ROCKING IT!
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
two-thirDS through the 2026 mission and still going strong!!!
WE ARE ROCKING IT!
As of July 7—just 37 days into the I WAS THIRSTY mission—we've reached an incredible milestone!
400 cases of water delivered
9,600 bottles (4,800 litres) of safe drinking water
10,582 pounds of water distributed
1,025 kilometres travelled
Every bottle has been delivered directly to vulnerable people where they are - in encampments or on the streets of Thunder Bay.
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human need, and together we're making sure no one is forgotten.
Our mission continues to grow through amazing community partnerships. We're proud to be working with EcoSuperior for garbage bags, and we're thrilled to have Walmart (1101 West Arthur Street) as our primary water supplier for the remainder of the season.
And we're not done yet...
We're currently working on another partnership—one that could be even bigger! Stay tuned!
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, generous donors, dedicated team leaders, and everyone who believes in this mission. Your support is making a real difference every single day.
Thank you for helping us turn compassion into action.
You are welcome to volunteer, donate or to share this story!
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE I WAS THIRSTY MISSION!
We are thrilled to announce that the Manager - Sinthu at Walmart #1165 at 1101 West Arthur Street in Thunder Bay has has notified us that they have joined the I WAS THIRSTY mission as a valued community partner and is now our primary water supplier for the remainder of the season!
This incredible partnership ensures that we can continue providing a reliable daily supply of bottled water to those who need it most. Walmart’s commitment to helping keep water available and in stock is a tremendous boost to our ability to serve our community.
This partnership will make a significant difference operationally. Our volunteers will no longer need to spend valuable time travelling throughout the city searching for available supplies of water each day.
Instead, they can focus their time and energy where it matters most — delivering water directly to those who need it.
What began as a simple mission to help people stay hydrated has grown into a true community effort built on compassion, partnership, and a shared commitment to helping others.
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Walmart for believing in this mission and stepping forward to support our community.
Together — with our volunteers, supporters, and community partners — we will continue to deliver water:
One case.
One bottle.
One person at a time.
Thank you, Sinthu, and Walmart #1165, for helping us make a difference!
THE FIRST 30 days of 2026
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
THANK YOU WALMART #1165 at 1101 WEST ARTHUR STREET
JUNE DELIVERY - 30 DAYS DONE - NEW ENCAMPMENTS - NEW CLIENTS - NEW VOLUNTEERS AND SOME WISHFUL THINKING
30 days.
343 cases / 8,232 bottles / 4,116 litres of water / 9,074 pounds delivered.
854 kilometres travelled
When I loaded the first cases of water into my vehicle in the spring of 2025, I thought this would be a stopgap. A way to help fill a void until things got better.
We are a full year later, and instead, the gap has only grown.
Here we are, one third the way through the 2026 mission. I tell myself maybe this will be the month we see fewer people. Maybe this will be the month there are fewer encampments to visit, fewer new faces to meet, fewer people who are simply trying to make it through another hot day (we have already experienced temperatures of 29 C) without access to clean drinking water.
That hasn't happened.
This month brought new encampments. New clients. New volunteers. It also brought the familiar faces I've come to know - people who greet us by name, ask how we're doing before telling us how they're doing, and remind me that this work has never really been about water.
Water is the reason we arrive. Human connection is the reason we keep coming back.
There are moments that stay with me long after the last case has been unloaded.
A simple "thank you." Someone making sure the person beside them gets a bottle before they do. Someone saying, "I wasn't sure you'd be here today."
Those are the moments that remind me why we keep showing up.
I wish this wasn't necessary. I wish these numbers were getting smaller instead of staying the same. I wish no one had to depend on a volunteer-run effort for something as fundamental as drinking water.
But wishing doesn't fill this need.
So we keep going.
We drive the kilometres. We lift the cases. We make the deliveries. And because of an incredible community of donors and volunteers, we're able to show people that someone remembered them today.
To everyone who has supported I Was Thirsty - whether you've donated, volunteered, shared our story, or simply believed in what we're doing - thank you. Every bottle we hand out carries a little piece of your kindness with it.
I still hope for the day when these updates aren't needed anymore.
Until that day comes, you'll find us where we've always been - showing up and on the road.
Because someone, somewhere, is still thirsty.
Please, volunteer, donate or just share the story.
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
The numbers for the first weeks of the outreach mission tell part of the story:
273 cases
6,552 bottles
3,276 litres of water
7,222 pounds delivered
727 kilometres travelled
But behind every bottle is a person and a story.
During this week’s deliveries, we returned to the McVicar’s Creek site where we were greeted by Mike — a short, stocky man with thick red hair and a beard that looks like he stepped out of a Tolkien story. Mike carries the scars of survival, including the loss of many of his fingers due to exposure, but what stands out most is his spirit.
Mike has become a familiar face and a trusted liaison at the site. He welcomes us with a smile, helps identify who is in the greatest need, and works alongside us as we carry the water down the hill into the living area. He is genuinely happy to see us arrive and eager to help others around him.
Mike shared something that is difficult to hear - although they live beside a river, the water is not safe to drink. Access to clean water is not a convenience; it is a daily challenge.
At the Kam River site, we met again with a young Indigenous woman, Ashleigh, who always greets us with a smile. This week she shared how important this mission has become for her and others living there. She explained that finding safe water is extremely difficult. Many people spend their days searching for firewood so they can keep a fire going and boil water just to make it safer.
Without access to clean water, some are forced to rely on the Kaministiquia River - only a short distance downstream from the paper mill - knowing the water is not safe to drink. This is not the first time we have been told of people drinking straight out of the Kam without filtration.
After we delivered water and spent time listening, she looked at us and said:
“You are keeping us alive. God bless you - I really mean it - God bless you.”
Those words capture why I Was Thirsty exists.
This mission is not only about delivering water.
It is about dignity, compassion, and reminding people that they are seen.
Every bottle represents a connection, every kilometre represents commitment, and every conversation reminds us that humanity begins with just showing up.
five thousand pounds of water!!!!
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
189 CASES | 4,536 BOTTLES | 522 KILOMETRES | 5,000 POUNDS OF WATER AND REAL CONNECTIONS.
Today marks a landmark moment in the 2026 “I Was Thirsty” mission.
In just 16 days, we have delivered more than 5,000 pounds of water into the community.
The need remains evident. To improve consistency, reach, and efficiency, we have now established two defined delivery routes - Thunder Bay North and Thunder Bay South - servicing each route every other day. This approach allows us to better manage our time, distance, and the needs of those we serve.
The numbers tell part of the story:
189 cases. 4,536 bottles. 522 kilometres. More than 5,000 pounds of water.
The true measure of this mission is found in the people behind the numbers.
Through our conversations, the daily requests remain consistent - food, snacks, soap, tooth brushes, garbage bags, recycling bags, socks, wet wipes, sun hats, lip balm, and other basic necessities. The need extends well beyond water.
Today we delivered to Toby again. When we asked where his geese were, he told us they were “taking the day off.” We found him sweeping around his site with a broom head that no longer had a handle. His site was orderly and tidy. Proudly, he explained that he had discovered a rabbit hole and was filling it in. When I asked him why, he smiled with an infectious grin and replied, “I’m going to catch it.” It was a simple moment, but it reflected the importance of returning, reconnecting, and building relationships over time. The mission is not only about providing water — it is about showing people that they are remembered and that someone cares enough to come back.
Today I was relieved to see Levi for the first time since our deliveries began this year.
Levi is disabled, physically frail, and carries the visible signs of a difficult life on his weathered face. His face and hands reflect years of hardship, yet every time we see him he greets us with kindness and a smile. Levi is quiet and does not ask for much. He is an older Indigenous man with kind eyes, and he is one of the individuals we look for when we are on the south side - not because he demands attention, but because he deserves to know that he has not been forgotten. He is one of the people who seems to need an extra measure of care and support. Whenever we are on the south side, I find myself looking for him - hoping he is there, hoping he is okay, and relieved when I see him.
Levi was sitting outside St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. I handed him three single bottles. My heart sank when he told us that someone had taken his walker.
The mission has become about much more than delivering a basic necessity. It is about consistent presence, real human connection, and restoring dignity to people who are often unseen or forgotten.
Young and old, stories are shared, and connections are made.
Beyond the water, the mission is measured in conversations, trust built over time, and the simple act of showing up.
Every bottle matters.
Every encounter matters.
Every person matters.
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
A Mission Measured in Bottles and Defined by People
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
Reconnecting, Remembering, and Restoring Hope — The First Fourteen Days of the 2026 Outreach Mission
Outside of the success of the qualitative data, embedded in the first fourteen days of the 2026 outreach mission, have been given us the opportunity to reconnect with people we met during our 2025 efforts, hear their stories of survival, and better understand the realities of living unhoused over an entire year.
One of those connections is Tony, a young man we first met living in Kam Heritage Park during the summer of 2025. After weeks of building trust and rapport, Tony began playing catch with us using his most prized possession — his football.
When we returned in June 2026, Tony was excited to share what had become important in his daily life. He told us about the relationship he had built with the geese living along the banks of the Kam. He described how they now eat from his hand and how they alert him when people approach his camp. He proudly pointed out to us to the male leader of the flock, “the General,” and the General’s partner, “his lady.”
These moments remind us that connection, trust, and companionship exist even in the most difficult circumstances.
We also reconnected with Chester at the Friendship Park site. During our conversation, he shared the heartbreaking news about Katelyn. These encounters are not just about delivering water - they are about maintaining relationships, listening, and standing with people through both difficult and meaningful moments in their lives.
Throughout this mission, we have connected with dozens of individuals who gather outside the PACE (People Advocating Change through Empowerment) headquarters while waiting for Shelter House across the street, to open.
One encounter that has stayed with us is with Morris, a young Indigenous man experiencing homelessness. His hands showed the visible impacts of prolonged environmental exposure and the harsh conditions of life without stable shelter, access to hygiene resources, and consistent medical care.
Sitting apart from, but surrounded by, others navigating their own struggles — including survival sex work, substance use, and profound social isolation — Morris shared something deeply personal.
When we first met him, he told us:
“I don’t matter. My life doesn’t matter.”
Over several encounters, while providing a single bottle of water to help him get through the day, we continued to remind him that he mattered, that we saw him, and that we cared about him.
During our most recent conversation, Morris smiled and told us that, for a moment, we made him feel important.
That moment matters.
When people experiencing homelessness say they have “given up,” it is often not a reflection of a lack of effort or desire to live differently. It can be the result of years of overwhelming survival pressures, repeated barriers, stigma, trauma, and exhaustion from trying to navigate systems that have repeatedly failed them.
Yet even in these circumstances, people continue to find ways to survive, connect, and seek dignity.
Every bottle matters.
Every encounter matters.
Every person matters.
IN MEMORIAM
some old friends! ...HAVE YOU SEEN MY GEESE....???!
Remembering Katelyn
It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Katelyn, a member of the I Was Thirsty community and a recipient of support through our mission.
Many of our volunteers came to know Katelyn through our outreach efforts and through her relationship with Chester. Her passing is deeply felt by those who knew her.
We've extend our sincere condolences to Chester, and offer peace and healing to Katelyn's family, and her friends during this difficult time.
On behalf of everyone at I Was Thirsty, we are grateful to have known Katelyn and will remember her with respect and compassion.
Rest in peace, Katelyn.
WEEK ONE - DONE!
SOME AMAZING STORIES THIS WEEK... THROWING STARFISH
Traveling over 300 kms with 99 cases delivered this week (that's 2,376 bottles, or 1,188 litres, or 2,613 pounds), with a group of new volunteers (Luke, Jason and Victor) and some seasoned ones, (Dean, Aiden, AJ and Sofia) and we are off to an amazing start!
This week we met a Canadian Forces Afghanistan veteran, Rod, who, living unhoused on the Southside, kindly shared his story with us. It was all too familiar.
We commenced deliveries to new encampments and to the ones we are familiar with. We met some clients we saw during last year's mission, Tony, and Real, and they were exceedingly happy to see us and have our support.
Every where we go, people are grateful to have fresh water delivered to where they are.
We are pleased to have support of ECOSUPERIOR who have provided us with bags and gloves making a real impact on the impact of single use water bottles.
This year we are focusing on the timeless tale, adapted from Loren Eiseley’s essay "The Star Thrower," that reminds us that individual, compassionate actions matter.
Even when faced with overwhelming challenges, making a difference to even a single person or living thing is deeply meaningful.
"A man was walking along a deserted beach at dawn and noticed a young girl in the distance. As he got closer, he saw her repeatedly reaching down, picking up starfish that had washed ashore, and tossing them gently back into the ocean.
Curious, the man approached and asked what she was doing. She replied that the tide was low, and if she didn't return the starfish to the water, they would die from the heat and lack of oxygen.
The man looked along the expansive coastline and shook his head. He pointed out that there were thousands of starfish stranded on the beach, and likely millions more up and down the coast. He challenged her by saying, "You can't possibly save them all. Can't you see that you really cannot make a difference?"
The little girl listened politely, smiled, and bent down to pick up another starfish. As she threw it safely past the breaking waves, she replied:
"Well, it made a difference to that one."
When we are faced with an overwhelming problem, we are often stunned by simple wisdom.
Together, we can turn a seemingly hopeless situation into a collective success.
Come be part of the story—and part of the solution.
One person. One bottle. One act of kindness at a time.
new encampments, new volunteers
I WAS THIRSTY – 2026 Mission Update
On 1 June, site visits were completed and preparations finalized for the launch of the 2026 I WAS THIRSTY mission. Water deliveries commenced on 2 June. With new volunteers Jason Pham and Luke Roberge joining the team on 2 and 3 June, I WAS THIRSTY began its first deliveries across the city.
The need for safe drinking water remains significant. On 2 June, with 14 cases of water, we began the important work of meeting people, building trust, and entering encampments with a simple and familiar greeting:
"Hey! We've got some water for you today!"
It quickly became apparent that the need was greater than we had anticipated. New encampment locations were identified, existing sites had grown, and more people were living outdoors than expected.
On 3 June, with 16 cases of water, we continued our outreach, meeting people where they are—where they live, where they shelter, and where they are found on the streets.
Every bottle delivered represents more than hydration; it is a point of human connection, dignity, and compassion.
The mission continues throughout June, July, and August as we work toward our goal of delivering 20,000 bottles of water to those who need them most.
Come be part of the story—and part of the solution.
One person. One bottle. One act of kindness at a time.
I WAS THIRSTY documentary release!
VOLUNTEER & DONOR RECOGNITION, 2026 MISSION LAUNCH & DOCUMENTARY SCREENING EVENT!
A special night is taking shape for Saturday, 9 May 2026.
Join us for the launch of the 2026 I WAS THIRSTY mission, combined with a volunteer and donor appreciation evening. The event will feature the premiere screening of a powerful new documentary by IMAGINE FILMS. Produced by Alan Auld, the film offers a raw and compelling look at water insecurity in Thunder Bay -and the role I WAS THIRSTY is playing in addressing this urgent issue.
Everyone is welcome.
HMCS Griffon - Upper Deck Mess 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy a cash bar, light refreshments, a penny action, and opportunities to sign up as a volunteer or donor for the 2026 mission running from June through September.
Come be part of the story - and the solution.
One person - one bottle at a time.
SUPPORTING SLEEPLESS IN THUNDER BAY!
I WAS THIRSTY IS SUPPORTING SLEEPLESS IN THUNDER BAY!
The launch of the United Way campaign, Sleepless in Thunder Bay, was an important opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenges of homelessness in our community. I was pleased to be invited to attend and to support the launch of this initiative and even more pleased to be participating.
Donations can be made here;
Albert Brulé, Executive Director of the United Way did an excellent job outlining the realities facing many individuals in Thunder Bay and clearly articulated the need for coordinated community action to address homelessness. Events such as this help bring attention to the issue and reinforce the importance of partnerships across organizations and the community as a whole.
Please see the news story here;
The event runs overnight on 28 March 2026. For more information about the campaign, details are found here!
https://uwaytbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/UW_SITB_EventToolkit_2026.pdf
WORLD WATER DAY 2026!
MARCH 22, 2026 IS QUICKLY APPROACHING!
At I WAS THIRSTY we believe that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right. As we prepare for World Water Day on March 22, 2026, we invite you to join us in raising awareness about the global water crisis.
With 2.2 billion people lacking access to safe water, it is crucial that we take action.
Our campaign will launch in June, focusing on 90 days of delivery to support the most vulnerable in our community. Together, we can ensure that everyone in Thunder Bay has access to clean water this summer. We are targeting delivery 20,000 bottle of water in 90 days and you can help!
Sign up to donate, or to volunteer or just spread the word!
A wonderful donation!
shuniah lodge af&am donation on tuesday 3 march 2026
A HUGE THANK YOU to the Master, Officers and Members of Shuniah Lodge AF&AM for a wonderful donation of 400 dollars towards the 2026 mission!
This will buy more than 110 cases of water! We will see that it is faithfully applied.
Thank you gentlemen for your kindness, support and generosity!
