Canada might seem like an ideal first world Country to escape from Trump and get free Healthcare, yet no one is talking about the growing homeless population.
In oil rich Alberta the struggle is real. Calgary is ranked as the hardest City in Canada for low income individuals. The Capital City of Edmonton's last homeless count was in 2014 with over 2300 homeless, roughly 47% identified as aboriginal and nearly 900 found without the option of shelter.
Taking over an empty City parking lot in the core of Edmonton, Anonymous supporters teamed up to pick up the slack the Government lacks by creating a Free Pop-Up Street Store for in need citizens.
Every 2 months home cooked meals, baked goods and sandwiches are dished out to hundreds of people. Attendees can find clothing, toiletries, get a haircut and even find meals for their 4 legged friends.
The movement called Operation Help The Less Fortunate has over 60 volunteers and serves an estimated 500 people in 3 hours of setting up shop before supplies run out.
The Street Store itself is easy to set up. It's standing unsheltered in extreme weather conditions for 4 hours knowing you have a warm place to go, while all these people around you don't have the option. That's the hard part and it takes a toll, but the volunteers always return.
Grassroot movements can dish out a mean middle finger to the Government, this movement has been featured on Local News and has a growing social media presence that won't be ignored.
Join the team or donate!
Stay tuned on Facebook www.facebook.com/OpHelpTheLessFortunate or Twitter @OpHelpYEG our next Street Store is on Nov 13th 2016.
