As temperatures soar across southern Alberta, a critical community initiative has returned to provide relief to the region’s most vulnerable residents. The 5th annual Lethbridge Summer Water Drive launched this week, bringing together local organizations in a coordinated effort to combat dehydration and heat-related illness among the homeless population.
“Water isn’t just a commodity—it’s a lifeline, especially during these extreme summer months,” explains Cameron Kissick, founder of the initiative and executive director of My City Care. “When we started this campaign five years ago, we recognized an urgent need that wasn’t being addressed. Today, it’s evolved into a community-wide movement.”
The water drive has grown substantially since its inception, with last year’s campaign distributing over 30,000 bottles of water to individuals experiencing homelessness. This year, organizers have set an ambitious target of 40,000 bottles, citing increasing temperatures and growing demand for services.
What distinguishes this initiative is its collaborative approach. Rather than operating in isolation, the water drive has united multiple community organizations including Streets Alive Mission, the Salvation Army, and the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. These partnerships ensure wide distribution networks and maximize impact across the city.
“We’re seeing temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius,” notes Jennifer Lepko, director of community services at the Salvation Army Lethbridge. “For those without consistent shelter, the risk of heat stroke and severe dehydration is very real. This campaign isn’t just about comfort—it’s potentially saving lives.”
The drive comes at a critical time, as recent data from Alberta Health Services indicates a 23% increase in heat-related emergency room visits across the province compared to last summer. Medical professionals emphasize that the homeless population faces disproportionate risk due to limited access to air-conditioned spaces and consistent hydration.
Corporate participation has also strengthened the initiative, with local businesses establishing collection points throughout Lethbridge. Major collection sites include the Lethbridge Public Library, City Hall, and several grocery chains including Save-On-Foods and Safeway, allowing residents to donate cases of bottled water with minimal effort.
“The beauty of this campaign is how it connects our business community directly to social impact,” says Trevor Stuart, president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a perfect example of how corporate social responsibility can address immediate community needs while building stronger relationships between different sectors.”
Beyond immediate relief, organizers emphasize the campaign’s secondary benefit: creating opportunities for meaningful interaction with vulnerable individuals. Outreach workers note that water distribution often serves as an entry point for connecting people to additional services including housing assistance, addiction treatment, and mental health support.
City officials have endorsed the initiative, with Mayor Blaine Hyggen highlighting its alignment with municipal strategies to address homelessness. “This grassroots effort complements our broader policy initiatives to create sustainable solutions for our vulnerable residents,” Hyggen stated at the campaign launch.
For those wanting to participate, donations can be made until September 15th at any of the designated collection points throughout the city. Organizers emphasize that while cash donations are welcome, physical donations of bottled water make the most immediate impact.
As climate projections suggest increasingly extreme summer temperatures in the years ahead, how will communities like Lethbridge adapt their humanitarian responses to meet the growing challenges faced by their most vulnerable residents?
