The Mustard Seed is seeking donations of bottled water for its clients and other vulnerable Red Deerians, since demand is rising during this extra-hot July. (Contributed photo)

The Mustard Seed is seeking donations of bottled water for its clients and other vulnerable Red Deerians, since demand is rising during this extra-hot July. (Contributed photo)

The Mustard Seed seeks bottled water donations to help vulnerable Red Deerians in this extra-hot July

The non-profit’s food budget is aleady strained from rising demand

Rising temperatures put people who are in the street all day at risk — unless they can get water, says a director at The Mustard Seed.

The hotter-than-average July, with temperatures soaring into the high 20s and low 30s, brings serious risks of dehydration to the homeless population — which has prompted The Mustard Seed to give out more bottled water to its clients and other vulnerable Red Deerians.

The non-profit is now seeking the public’s help in restocking its bottled water supply.

Laura Giesbrecht, senior director of food services at the non-profit shelter, said there’s a greater than usual demand for the bottled water that the shelter gives out to clients and other people who may be “sleeping rough” because of the drastic heat.

As a result, The Mustard Seed’s bottled water stores running low at the same time as the non-profit’s food budget is getting strained.

Giesbrecht explained that the non-profit has already seen more clientele for its Monday, Wednesday and Friday meal program. An all-time high of 193 people dropped in for a meal on one day earlier this month, compared to the 125-150 people, who had previously been expected, she added.

The Mustard Seed is open 24/7, but its 46 overnight shelter spots are usually full. “We often have to turn people away,” said Giesbrecht, who knows people who sleep outdoors during the summer usually have no access to tap water.

Plastic refillable water bottles are not commonly carried by people who have to carry all of their belongings, she added.

Anyone wanting to donate bottled water to relieve possible dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke in vulnerable Red Deerians can make a drop off at The Mustard Seed, or can alternatively make a cash donation for bottled water purchases.

Mustard Seed

Be Among The First To Know

Sign up for a free account today, and receive top headlines in your inbox Monday to Saturday.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up