My name is Meredith McLeod and I am one of the members that applied for a grant and received $500 for our project in Merritt. I am member of the Guides within the Merritt Girl Guides group and I wanted to focus on a service project to support those in need in my community.
I found out a about a upcoming International Overdose Awareness Day hosted in Merritt on August 29th, 2025, and asked if we could join in with a table at the event. I explained our plan and before the event took place and I talked with one of my Guide leaders that works with unhoused people to get an idea of supplies we needed to provide. After we made a list together a few of my fellow unit members, Fionna and Emma, and I shopped around town looking for essentials such as bus tickets, socks, deodorant, wet wipes, sandals, hats, snacks and toothbrushes to support this event. Ever since I joined Girl Guides I have been interested in helping the unhoused in my community and your community funds helped me get this done! In the past I have collected winter clothing and donated it to our local foodbank and shelter and thought this would be another good time to provide some much needed items too.
On August 29th, 2025, we set up a table at Merritt’s community event, laid out all our items and allowed those in need to help themselves. It went fabulously! We got to talk to people and support them with getting some supplies and we almost ran out of everything! The left over supplies were dropped off at ASK Wellness, a society who helps those in need and they were very grateful. Thank you very much for helping us do this, it’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time!
