CUPE Local 500 members pride themselves on being the workers who deliver Winnipeg’s public drinking water. Still, as this summer’s heat wave continues, many of Winnipeg’s homeless don’t have access to clean public drinking water, putting them at risk of dehydration.
Siloam Mission highlights the top-five needs of Winnipeg’s homeless during the hot summer months. These needs include access to drinking water to help avoid dehydration – a very real danger to those who don’t have regular access to drinking water.
“CUPE understands the value of our public drinking water, and we work hard every day to provide drinking water to Winnipeggers”, stated Mike Davidson, President of CUPE Local 500 “but we also understand that many people in our community don’t have access to water, and we need to take action to provide our services to everyone”.
On Thursday August 22, 2013, CUPE Local 500 delivered 200 reusable water bottles to Siloam Mission for distribution to the mission’s users.
“The bottom line is that water is a basic human right”, said Davidson “every member of the public should be able to hydrate themselves at no cost, with public drinking water”.
CUPE Local 500 has an ongoing campaign against the privatization of water, both in Winnipeg and around the world.
“We often take it for granted, but people should not have to buy water; water should be accessible for all” concludes Davidson. “By providing reusable water bottles to Siloam mission, it is our hope that the mission’s users will be able to fill up with public drinking water, and have one less thing to worry about”.
Siloam Mission also needs donations of sunscreen, powder laundry detergent, deodorant, and disposable razors. Donations can be delivered to 300 Princess Street in Winnipeg, or by calling (204) 956-4344.