A Saskatoon volunteer is calling on the provincial government to do more for people experiencing homelessness after extreme heat led to hundreds of bottles of water being handed out to people on the street.
Fran Forsberg, who leads the volunteer group Feed The People, says the need for basic support has grown sharply this spring and summer. port has grown sharply this spring and summer.
Volunteer Hands Out Water During Extreme Heat
Forsberg has recently spent much of her free time distributing bottled water to people outside.
She said she does it because too few others are stepping in, including the provincial government. At 71 years old, Forsberg said if she can continue helping people directly, the governmto provide stronger support for those in need.
Feed The People Supports Residents Every Sunday
Forsberg heads Feed The People, a volunteer-run organization that gathers every Sunday for about an hour near 20th Street and Avenue P.
The group provides meals, bottled water and clothing to people who need help. Forsberg said volunteers handed out 600 bottles of water during Sunday’s intense heat.
Demand Has Grown This Spring and Summer
Forsberg said she has noticed the need increasing in recent months.
She described the situation as worsening and said she does not see an end in sight without stronger government action.
2,000 Meals Distributed in June
Over four Sundays in June, Forsberg said Feed The People handed out about 2,000 meals.
On Monday, she stood near the area where the group usually distributes food and water and invited provincial leaders to come speak with people directly.
Forsberg said officials should meet those affected, see the need for themselves and show that they care.
Province Calls Homelessness a Complex Issue
Saskatchewan Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said homelessness is a “very, very complex issue.”
Speaking at a separate event Monday, Jenson said the province is focused on increasing treatment spaces so people living on the street who are dealing with addictions or mental health challenges can access help and move toward stable housing.
Focus on Treatment and Stable Housing
Jenson said the province is working across multiple ministries to help people enter treatment programs.
He said getting people into treatment is an important step toward helping them build healthier lives and eventually move into more stable housing.
Ministry Says It Monitors Service Needs
The minister said his department regularly communicates with service providers to understand current challenges.
Jenson added that the ministry monitors facility usage and outcomes internally to guide future decisions around homelessness, addictions and support services.
NDP MLA Says Province Must Take Responsibility
NDP MLA Leroy Laliberte said the homelessness crisis should not be left to municipalities, charities or volunteers like Forsberg.
He argued that the responsibility belongs to the provincial government and said the province must provide the resources needed to address the crisis.
Calls for More Direct Government Support
Laliberte accused the government of neglecting the issue and said the problem is visible across Saskatchewan.
He said community groups are filling gaps that should be handled through public resources and government-led support.
Fran Forsberg’s work with Feed The People highlights the growing pressure on volunteers as heat, homelessness and poverty intersect in Saskatoon.
While the province says it is focused on treatment spaces and long-term housing pathways, Forsberg and opposition voices argue that more immediate action is needed.
With hundreds of bottles of water and thousands of meals being handed out by volunteers, the situation shows how urgent the need has become for stronger support systems.