With the increase of individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness in the region, a resident has taken the initiative to provide warm clothing, food, and other goods to community members in need. The community hero, Rhéal Thibodeau, is actively seeking to aid friends and neighbours in Hawkesbury who are struggling by collecting donations from residents.
The proud Acadian has taken matters into his own hands after continuously witnessing homelessness not being addressed head-on back in Nova Scotia, where he first took note of those falling through societal cracks. Thibodeau emphasized that his mission in Hawkesbury is not about judging those who are in need but rather focusing on getting them the help needed and showing love for those in the community.
“My goal is that I want to feed people every weekend, but we need people to help me; I can’t do this alone,” he told The Review.
Thibodeau explained that so far, he has seen between 25 and 30 individuals make use of the donated clothing and food items and expects the number to rise as more people begin to hear about the initiative. Previous donations of equipment from community members have allowed the project to cook and heat food on location.
“I want to help as many people as I can. We must help the people in need before they become homeless, so they don’t end up on the street, not just focusing on the homeless population.”
Any food and clothing items that are left over will be given to those around the community who are not able to physically make it to Thibodeau’s location, set on an underused parking lot behind the Burger King and Carole’s Restaurant on Main Street. Thibodeau said that they would be there every Sunday helping those in need rain or shine, in blizzards, or freezing temperatures for the foreseeable future.
“We pay for the people in jail to have shelter, food, and everything, but we walk around and ignore the poverty around us every day. Everything is against them at the hardest point in their life.”
Thibodeau stated that he would like to see individuals stop avoiding the issues that are plaguing communities across Canada, specifically, when people actively cross the street to avoid being in close contact or talking with someone living on the streets. He stressed that these individuals struggling in poverty are fellow human beings just trying to get by.
To help with Thibodeau’s ongoing community project, he is asking for donations of common items that often are under-looked including disposable plates and cutlery, but also canned food, warm coats, outdoor clothing, boots, and any dry food. Cash donations are also being accepted and will be used to continue funding Thibodeau’s initiative.
Thibodeau and his spouse closed the conversation by stating, “This is about heart. It started with heart. We need people in the community to care and we need the lower-income people to know we’re here for them, and it’s okay to seek help. There is no judgment here.”
To stay updated with Thibodeau’s project, individuals can follow his Facebook profile where he posts continuous updates and requests for donations here: https://www.facebook.com/rheal.thibodeau.71.
