Calgary friends make ministry out of men’s underwear
VANCOUVER, BC - Every day with no fanfare, the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside receives all kinds of donations on behalf of its needy clients. But one recent drop-off was so unique it could not go unnoticed - a donation of 3,500 pairs of men's underwear.
Calgary residents Robb Price and Brent King delivered the gift in person. It was the first of 10 deliveries they plan to make at homeless shelters between Vancouver and Halifax.
"There's a lot of laughs and stuff seeing guys drive across the country with an RV full of underwear," says Price. "But it is a basic need, something that most of us take for granted. So we're really happy to help and provide people with this essential life item."
UGM president Bill Mollard calls their service to those less fortunate "really quite inspiring."
"All you have to do is remember a time when you might have been damp and chilled to the bone, how nice it was to get into some warm, clean clothing," he says. "And that's what 70 guys in our emergency shelter tonight will experience."
For hygienic reasons, charities like UGM that collect and distribute used clothing cannot accept used underwear.
Mollard estimates the supplies they received will meet UGM's needs for about a year. "It's about dignity and self-esteem," he says. "We always say 'it starts with a meal.' But sometimes it starts with a pair of underwear, too."
King launched the ministry they call GotGinch about three years ago when he asked a shelter in Calgary how he could help them out.
"They pointed me towards underwear. They said it was one of the biggest needs that they had. No one was donating underwear," he says. "So I talked to some friends, got some corporate sponsors - and it grew into a cross-Canada adventure."
King made his first cross-country deliveries in 2009. Price began making the 11-day, 7,000-kilometre trek with him the following year.
Price says their ultimate goal is to set an example for others.
"We're really trying to inspire people to get involved and help solve problems in their own way," he says. "We started DeliverGood.org last year where we match charities and non-profits who need stuff with people and companies who have stuff."
"You'd be really surprised," King adds. "At DeliverGood.org, we have 10,000 individual needs from charities all across North America. The needs will blow your mind."
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