The Salvation Army Among Agencies Distributing Water to Support Those Living with Homelessness

Water is often taken for granted. For many, one turn of the tap and water flows clean and fresh into a glass.

Those experiencing homelessness do not always have this same ready access to running water. As temperatures in Ontario rise in the heat of summer, water is a life-saving liquid for people living on the street and in shelters.

To ensure those experiencing homelessness get the hydration they need, The Salvation Army is one of several partners joining together to distribute more than 400,000 bottles of Pure Life water through Project Water to outreach workers and homeless shelters.

“This partnership is essential in to help save the lives of the vulnerable homeless population across Ontario during extreme heat alerts,” said Glenn van Gulik, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations in The Salvation Army Ontario Division.

“When the staff and volunteers from The Salvation Army connect with people on the street, a bottle of cold water can make all the difference and create other opportunities for conversations and support,” he said.

Project Water is part of the Engage and Change program, which helps the less fortunate make it through summer by providing bottled water, a reusable bottle, sunscreen, a hat, toiletries, and first aid supplies. The Salvation Army handles the distribution of water bottles to Project Water partners that support those living with homelessness in the province, including relief agencies and outreach programs.

Since 2000, Project Water has handed out more than 2 million bottles of water to the homeless population in the Greater Toronto Area.  On average, a person needs 3 litres of water per day to maintain adequate hydration for proper bodily function.

Project Water founder Jody Steinhauer said those experiencing homelessness are five times more likely to die from COVID-19, making access to clean water all that more important.

“A lack of clean drinking water among those less fortunate takes precedence in the warmer months when the risk of death by dehydration increases significantly due to excessive heat and humidity,” Steinhauer said.

“We are grateful to our community partners to help save the lives of those living on our streets and in shelters and encourage all in the Greater Toronto Area to rally for those whose life expectancy is at risk over something we all take for granted – shelter and clean drinking water. It takes a village to save a life.”

Other agencies supporting the donation to Project Water include BlueTriton Brands, Fortigo Freight Services, Toronto Police Service, and The Bargains Group.