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
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.