Local teen raises support for Siksika homeless

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Some of the less fortunate in Gleichen and Siksika Nation will be warmer and less hungry thanks to care packages from a Strathmore teenager.

With Siksika Nation facing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, many of its facilities have closed, creating hardship for some of its less fortunate residents.

Seeing this, Strathmore resident Abbey Everett decided she must act. 

“I found out last Monday that they shut down the homeless shelter, so I thought it would be a good idea to make some care packages,” said Everett. “That’s how it started.”

Everett has become friends with some Siksika residents because her father serves at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Gleichen, she said. “We go out to Gleichen twice a month with my dad – he preaches out there.”

She decided to create care packages for people there that could no longer attend the shelter. The packages include apparel to keep the recipients warm throughout the winter months, including socks, toques and mittens, snacks and a water bottle.

Abbey started to fund the packages with $50 of her own money she earned from babysitting, an amount matched by her mother, Manny. But then the people around her – and beyond – started to pitch in. Some of her friends donated and one of her teachers also sponsored, she said.

Then, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule wrote about the project on his Facebook Page, helping to garner support. That night, between eight and nine o’clock, another $190 was received, she said. Since then, over $750 has been raised to fund 45 bags.

With the help of her friends, Everett has since been handing out these packages. The recipients have been grateful, she said.