Volunteer Sabrina Cataldo said the total is up to 650 pairs and counting — with goals to pile the stash as high as possible.
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A call to the community for an unusual kind of donation to assist Regina’s vulnerable has led to an avalanche of underwear in one volunteer’s home — but Sabrina Cataldo is more than happy to oblige.
Organized by citizen group Rally Around Homelessness, volunteers put out the challenge last week in an attempt to collect a stash of new underwear in varying sizes for people living unhoused in Regina.
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The bar was set at 488 pairs of underwear — one for each individual who was part of the most recent point-in-time homelessness count in 2021.
Cataldo said the group originally thought it might be a lofty goal, but Regina has more than delivered within days of the initial challenge.
In the first 24 hours, Cataldo was gifted enough money to swing by Costco to purchase more than 200 pairs. A few days later, local business Regina Auto Body arranged another huge delivery of 200 pairs, challenging other business owners to do the same.
As of Wednesday morning, Cataldo said they had stacked up 650 pairs of underwear and counting.
“That’s exciting, when you think about it,” she noted. “We take underwear for granted. You throw it on in the morning, throw it in the hamper at night, but for people on the streets, it’s a major luxury.”
Further to the “why underwear?” question, Cataldo explained that it’s an under-donated item to local non-profits or non-government organizations, but one that’s always in high demand.
People living in flux don’t always have access to laundry, and buying fresh underwear can take a back seat to spending money on more pressing needs — like food or a bus fare — despite it being a matter of health.
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“There’s also just a matter of dignity. Everyone deserves a clean pair of underwear. It’s such a tangible, simple thing” that can improve a person’s day, Cataldo added.
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Rally Around Homelessness has organized regional “captains” who can be contacted through the group’s social media and are responsible for collecting donations across the city, plus one for the Balgonie and Emerald Park area.
Cataldo is one of them, accepting physical drop-offs as well as e-transferred funds to go out and purchase underwear. Artistic Masonry has also offered its store as a shipping address for items bought and sent through Amazon.
As for the response so far, Cataldo said it “fills my heart with joy” to see people so immediately willing to help.
“It shows just how people really care about other residents of the city, even if they don’t know them. It’s something they can do to make a difference.”
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Even though the initial goal has been shattered, collection will continue through the August long weekend. Volunteers plan to hit the streets on Aug. 5 and hand out donations directly to people in need.
At the rate things are going, Cataldo said the new vision is to stockpile the extras and do a few distributions throughout the year, instead of just one.
“We’ll do as many rounds as we need, for however much underwear we need,” she said.
The group’s move to spotlight Regina’s point-in-time homelessness count is timely, as the data is set to be updated sometime later this year. A national count will take place in 2024 to refresh the “snapshot” measuring homelessness across Canada, and Regina will be one of 58 cities taking part.
Namerind Housing Corporation, a local partner with the federal Reaching Home program, said it will be organizing volunteers to conduct the effort.
Volunteers will survey those staying in shelters, short-term and transitional housing, and public health spaces like detox centres, as well as people “sleeping rough” or in “hidden homelessness.”
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Data will be shared publicly afterwards.
“The PiT Count will reveal the need for crucial leadership interventions for increased investment and coordination between all orders of government, also including non-profit and private sectors,” said a press release earlier this week.
The organization declined to share when the count will be happening, in an effort to preserve the process’s accuracy.
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