Calgary – January 7, 2020 – When Camp Alexo acquired five hundred sleeping bags left over from Red Deer’s 2019 Canada Winter Games, UFCW 401 shop steward Shelley-Anne Goulet knew how to get them into the hands of those who need them most.

With support from Union Labour Relations Officer Sandy Harmeson, the pair put out a call to UFCW 401 shop stewards and activists in the Calgary area to deliver the sleeping bags to the homeless in downtown Calgary. Within a few short hours, Local 401 activists stepped up to help.

“Working with our contacts in the Calgary community, we identified a significant need among those who – for one reason or another – do not have access to shelter in our city. They end up sleeping rough, and sometimes in sub-zero temperatures,” said Harmeson.

In response, Local 401 activists gathered at the union’s Calgary office, loaded a trailer full of sleeping bags, and together with union staff, Executive Board members, and officers, delivered the sleeping bags directly to homeless Calgarians in the heart of downtown.

“The response was overwhelming,” said Harmeson. “People genuinely appreciated the fact that folks took time out of their day to help them out, to share in the warmth of solidarity over the holidays.”

Theresa Ludwig, a UFCW 401 Shop Steward and Safeway union bargaining committee member, made an emotional statement on social media.

“Feeling many emotions right now,” she said. “But I am absolutely blessed, forever grateful, and positively thankful for my UFCW Local 401 brothers and sisters as we rallied together to distribute sleeping bags, fleece vests, gloves, hats, and blankets to those in dire need of assistance throughout out downtown Calgary tonight.”

“Especially proud of my 401,” she added, “focussing on our continued commitment, involvement, and support within our beloved communities both near and far.”

UFCW Local 401 President Tom Hesse and Secretary-Treasurer Richelle Stewart joined in the effort.

“We were pleased to be able to deliver some warmth to those who need it the most, and we’re particularly proud of Shelley-Anne and Sandy for the amazing work they did in bringing forward this initiative.”

Camp Alexo is owned and operated by Youth HQ in partnership with both the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer & District. The camp is located 70 kilometres west of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, in the heart of David Thompson Country, offering wilderness programs to youth.

UFCW Local 401 is Alberta’s largest private-sector union, representing 32,000 working Albertans in industries as diverse as retail, food processing, health care, and education. To learn more about UFCW 401 and its outstanding work, visit the Local Union’s website.