A homeless woman who spoke out about her challenges is getting a little taste of North Bay goodwill.
Keith Pollock, who owns a lawn care and snow removal business, read the story about 58-year-old Deborah Edwards who told BayToday that she lives homeless on the banks of the Chippewa Creek.
See related: Homeless woman to the mayor: The problem can’t be fixed
She had mentioned that she could use a tarp to help keep her things dry when it rains, so Pollock decided to reach out.
“I had the means to help so I contacted BayToday Editor Jeff Turl and told him this is what I would like to do if I can find her and that is what I did,” said Pollock.
He says the interaction was very rewarding.
“When I found her she was very friendly and said ‘hello,’” noted Pollock.
“She was very grateful for the tarp, very friendly. I brought her the tarp because that is what she asked for, she did not ask for anything else.”
Pollock hopes initiatives like the recent Mayor’s roundtable will help create more awareness about the homeless issue within the city.
See related: Mayor’s Roundtable brings a sense of hope
Pollock says others have also tried to reach out to Edwards and someone had even started a GoFundMe page to help her get back into a proper apartment or home.
“My message to the public is not to dwell too deep into the stereotype,” he said.
Pollock believes it is better to simply offer some help instead of judging the homeless.
“Not all homeless people are bad people and are drug users or violent people. A lot of them are just down on their luck, high cost of living. We don’t know their situation so we should not really judge them.”
