Saskatoon woman launches water bottle drive for less fortunate

A Saskatoon woman who has worked within social services noticed a problem as the mercury rose last week.

Because of COVID-19 homeless people and the less fortunate don’t have as many safe options to cool down.

Patricia Gordon told 650 CKOM that people seem able to put blinders on and not see others struggling.

“My heart, really right now, it’s just breaking for people because it’s always been bad but now with the COVID there’s nowhere for these people to go,” she said.

She explained that public spaces with air conditioning, like libraries or community centres, are not as accessible this summer because of the pandemic.

To try to help Gordon launched a drive to collect bottled water among friends and family.

“We’re not talking about having a lot of time right now,” she said. “A lot of people have been sitting out there (on the street) and it’s been hot.”

Gordon said the idea came to her after talking to staff at the Lighthouse and the Friendship Inn in Saskatoon.

“Basically, places said ‘if you bring the water we’ll hand it out to the people that need it’,” she said.