Volunteers with Operation Help the Less Fortunate rolled into the Boyle community Sunday to help under-privileged Edmontonians.
Within 30 minutes, they turned a gravel parking lot at 95 Street and 105 Avenue housing three homeless camps, into a free store for people in need.
“It’s a grassroots organization,” explained volunteer Carolyn Cushing. “A bunch of us got together. It was about five people at first and now it’s escalated to about 60 volunteers.”
The free store includes a hot meal, snacks, toiletries, pet products and clothing. The group opens one every two months until their food runs out.
“What we’re trying to do is at least give some people some food for a day, a change of clothing. Maybe a little bit of normal,” Cushing said.
Another volunteer, Celina Vipond, remembers her first time volunteering with the group.
“It made me really want to cry and break down. Seeing all of these people was a little bit of a shock for me. I didn’t realize there were so many people in Edmonton that went without.”
On Sunday, more than 100 people were lined up before the store even opened.
Travis Houle came for a hot meal.
“It’s been about a month and a half now, that I’ve been on the streets,” he said. “I haven’t worked and I just didn’t have any other options.”
He appreciated the volunteers pushing through pouring rain to help the homeless, as they took shelter under the tent designated for clothing donations.
“I think that they’re doing God’s work,” said Houle. “Giving them a sense of hope – that there’s still something out there for them that they can grab onto and just reach for.”
Cushing said that’s exactly why the volunteers are there.
“The community needs to know we’re not giving up on them. We haven’t forgotten about them.”
Houle has a new job prospect and he’s hopeful he won’t have to come back next time, at least not in the same lineup.
“Maybe someday I can return the favour and come and help some people that I met on the streets.”
But with so much demand, the group is struggling to keep up. They need more volunteers and more donations.
“I just wish we had more to give because it’s the most heartbreaking thing at the end of the day seeing people come by and say, ‘Do you have any food left?’ and we’re all out,” Vipond said.
She said volunteers also provide emotional support.
“We’re here and they’ll strike up a conversation with us and just to have someone seeing them as a person and not just a part of the sidewalk.”
Vipond keeps coming back every time because she can see, first-hand, the difference the free store makes.
“It’s nice seeing the ‘thank yous’ and the happy faces of those that do get the help.”
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