After grandson dies of an overdose, Sudbury senior volunteers to help the vulnerable
Street Outreach Sudbury, known as SOS, is a community-based volunteer group that helps homeless and under-housed people.
During the pandemic, it’s been clothing vulnerable people and providing food. One volunteer is known as 'Grandma' because of her special connection to people in need.
Last Sunday, 82-year-old Aline Pitcher kindly helped a man living in a tent pick out some boots, warm clothes and blankets.
“Sometimes I hear them come in here right at the gate over there and they say 'hi Grandma,' 'hey Grandma'," Pitcher said.
"The other day I think there was three of them (saying) 'hey Grandma!'”
The groups said Pitcher is a dedicated volunteer.
“She is one of the longest-standing volunteers. She is here every single Sunday, rain, shine, sleet, snow,” said Melissa Poitras Belanger a volunteer with SOS.
“She is here and knows all of our participants by name. She is incredible. She knows exactly what they need she even puts stuff aside for them and waits for them.”
Pitcher said she started helping vulnerable people after her grandson, Myles Keaney, passed away downtown from an overdose.
“Well personally it’s my grandson Myles, I feel that I am doing something that he would want me to do,” she said.
SOS said recently the number of people is seeking assistance from the group has decreased.
“There is a strong need although we have seen a decrease in our numbers,” said Poitras Belanger.
"We were seeing up to 200 participants per program day and now we are seeing 40 to 60, so we are definitely seeing an improvement."
Pitcher said she likes to talk to people to find out where they are at and what they need.
“I always ask, 'are you sleeping in or out?' and you know, if they tell me outside, they can’t keep warm," she said.
"Last Sunday, it took me two, two and half hours to warm up once I got home."
She still volunteers every Sunday, braving the cold to help those living in it.
The group is currently in need of new volunteers, winter clothing, blankets and individually wrapped snacks. Items can be dropped off at the Market location downtown every Sunday from 12-4 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.