I Was Thirsty

"I was thirsty" is a critical outreach mission operating in Thunder Bay, Ontario, dedicated to addressing a basic, life-sustaining need that often goes unmet for the city’s most vulnerable residents: access to safe, clean drinking water. Founded on the simple yet profound principle that safe water is a human right, the initiative transcends basic charity, aiming to deliver water with dignity and serve as a tangible act of reconciliation in action.

The Critical Need for Water in Vulnerable Communities

For most citizens, accessing drinking water is as simple as turning a tap. This easy availability masks a severe reality for people who are homeless and those experiencing housing insecurity. In Thunder Bay, where it is estimated that more than 200 people are living outdoors, access to consistent, safe hydration is not guaranteed. Individuals without permanent housing must constantly search for public refill stations or depend on sporadic donations, making their daily survival an ongoing challenge.

The risk associated with this lack of access is particularly acute during the summer months. As temperatures rise and humidity increases, the vulnerable population faces dramatically elevated risks of life-threatening conditions. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke can quickly set in, making the mission of "I was thirsty" not merely a matter of comfort, but one of immediate, life-saving intervention. Water is fundamental not only to physical health but also to preserving basic dignity and ensuring survival.

The Mission: Water with Dignity

The core objective of "I was thirsty" is focused and direct: to deliver safe, fresh water to Thunder Bay’s vulnerable population, where they reside. This direct, localized approach is key to the mission’s success, ensuring that water reaches people who may not be able to travel to distant distribution centres or shelters. By bringing the water directly to the streets and encampments, the volunteers affirm the humanity of the recipients and treat them as community members whose needs are prioritized.

This commitment to Reconciliation in action is an implicit acknowledgment of the disproportionate number of Indigenous individuals who experience homelessness and vulnerability in cities like Thunder Bay. By ensuring a fundamental human right—water—is met, the mission takes a concrete step toward providing support and respect for a population historically marginalized and underserved.

Operational Model: From Community Donations to Direct Delivery

The efficiency and integrity of the "I was thirsty" mission are secured through a strong community partnership and transparent operations:

1. Donation Processing: All monetary donations are received and administered through a partnership with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church via the Canada Helps platform. This arrangement ensures financial oversight and allows the organization to issue official tax receipts to donors, securing trust and supporting large-scale fundraising efforts.
2. Water Procurement: Financial contributions are used exclusively to purchase bottled water in bulk from several different suppliers, guaranteeing a steady supply of safe, potable water.
3. Volunteer Delivery: The final, most crucial step relies on a dedicated team of volunteers. These individuals commit their time to physically delivering the purchased water directly to people who are homeless and vulnerable throughout the city. This direct-delivery model is the heart of the outreach, ensuring the resource reaches those who need it most, regardless of their ability to seek it out.

The mission is sustained entirely by the generosity of individuals and community partners, demonstrating a powerful collective commitment to the wellbeing of Thunder Bay's population.

The Broader Impact and Guiding Principles

"I was thirsty" serves as a powerful model for localized, dignity-focused outreach. It highlights the fact that effective aid is often about addressing the most basic, immediate necessities that are overlooked in broader discussions of social challenges. By focusing on a universal need—water—it cuts through complex social issues to provide essential relief.

In considering the framework of social welfare and community support, and for a deeper understanding of the comprehensive needs of vulnerable populations. The work of initiatives like "I was thirsty" is a clear demonstration of how localized action can translate human rights principles into everyday reality, one drink of water at a time [we need free clean public drinking water fountains!]

“For I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink…”

Scripture

Read Lorne Clifford Founder's Message

Interesting Reading: How to mitigate plastic water bottle waste.