Some nights, it’s sandwiches or meatballs or shepherd’s pie. Tuesday night, it was pizza as the Hope Street Team went to Lloydminster encampments with MyLloydminsterNow riding along.
The team went north of town, literally into the bush, where, apart from the rabbits, there was another set of wildlife eyes peering at our generosity from the comfort of the darkness. It wasn’t a cougar, as the rabbits were running carefree in the grass, oblivious to the pain of unhoused humanity seeking shelter in makeshift accommodations.
The Hope Street members know the dwellers by name and their stories. They ask about those who are not around. This evening will become a warm fall night in just a few weeks. The wind was coming from the northwest, making it feel like minus eight Celsius under clear skies.
The team met four people who were happy for pizza and other supplies. Most of the camps in this area were abandoned, as the landowner had been around informing people to leave.
Catherine Hill, who leads the volunteer work says they go out to make sure the people have basic essentials like warm clothing, water, and food.
“There are lots of people out there that are good people just looking for some connection and support.”
The group prepares about 60 meals for each mission.
The six-member team continued in this area for about another 40 minutes then turned around and headed back to town. The group stopped at the train tracks east of the Men’s Shelter. The Lloydminster Fire Department had been called out as a tent was on fire. There were six tents left.
A few people came out, timid at first. Their gratitude says it all. Pizza, water, blankets, and other supplies to survive in the open. They lay on mattresses in the open, clear night sky with as many blankets to stay warm. They admit to taking responsibility for their space even though fire crews had to be called out as someone was not as careful as they should be with a warming fire inside a tent.
“The people – we have gotten to know them. We like to make sure that someone goes out there every Tuesday.”
The night came to an end as the group returned to the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre which is the usual meet-up place to prepare the supplies before heading out.
With Lloydminster not having a warming shelter as the colder weather approaches the need for basic essentials will remain.
“Just put yourself in their shoes. Be empathetic towards homeless people. When you see them on the street you may want to judge them. But it’s very hard being homeless. It’s not a fun thing to go through, especially in the wintertime,” says Lindsay Flewell who pitches in with some of the group’s fundraising.
The Hope Street Team Lloydminster can be reached via its Facebook page.
