Bringing water, dignity to Thunder Bay’s Streets

After 60 days on the streets of Thunder Bay this summer, a simple mission is proving that clean drinking water can change lives.

Volunteers with I Was Thirsty delivered clean water to people living in tents, on the street, and in green spaces. Along with hydration, they offered dignity and human connection.

Thunder Bay faces a growing homelessness crisis.

A 2024 Point-in-Time Count recorded 557 people experiencing homelessness, nearly 78 per cent of whom are Indigenous. Many live in tents and makeshift shelters along riverbanks and green spaces, often without reliable access to clean water.

Volunteers purchase water with donated funds, load it into vehicles, and distribute it across the city. Conversation and acknowledgment accompany each delivery. For many recipients, being seen is as