Under the Tent, team and volunteers
Bill McLaughlin calls it “bread crumb outreach.”
The founder and president of Under the Tent Outreach had no firm plan when he first served coffee and cookies to strangers in downtown Fredericton in 2019. With a history working in prison ministry, Bill brought his caring approach and experience to help people living on the streets.
Today, a team of volunteers works with Bill to support people living rough throughout Fredericton. Under The Tent hosts a meeting space in church parking lots three times a week. A team of volunteers brings food, clothing, snacks, hot drinks, and other necessities. The system is built on community, respect, and unconditional love for your fellow human.
“We take it day by day,” Bill says. “You have to hold onto people like a butterfly. If you grab them too tight, you’ll hurt them, and they’ll leave. If you don’t hold them tight enough, they’ll fly away.”
He estimates that Under the Tent supports 150 to 175 people per week, including driving some to medical and other important appointments. While there have been challenges at times related to substance abuse and mental health, Bill points to heartwarming stories that make the work so meaningful: the young mother who got clean and off the streets and has since regained custody of her child, or the person who changed their mind about ending their life when a friendly connection was made.
Recently, the Fredericton Community Foundation provided Under the Tent with a $6,200 Community Grant to support the creation of 50 emergency shelter kits for individuals experiencing homelessness. Each kit includes a tent, sleeping bag, emergency candles, strong tarp, and other necessities.
“We couldn’t provide these kits without the support of the Fredericton Community Foundation,” says Eric Morgan, fundraising and event coordinator for Under The Tent. “The kits are not a long-term solution for a person experiencing homelessness, but they’re definitely a life-saving intervention to help people stay warm and dry in bad weather while we work to connect them with longer-term services. We are so appreciative of this support from the Foundation.”
