Calgary business owners pay it forward by handing out winter wear to people experiencing homelessness

Kurtis Urban of the Indigenous Incubator hands out winter gear Saturday at the Drop-In Centre

A few shivering Calgarians were out on the street Saturday, distributing over 120 bundles warm winter clothing – toques, gloves and scarves – to some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens.

Kurtis Urban is part of the Indigenous Incubator an organization that he said was “paying it forward” by reaching out to people experiencing homelessness and offering some stuff to help them keep warm.

“We’re an Indigenous mechanical service company and we’re giving back a little bit,” Urban said.

He also said that the organization is hoping to recruit more Indigenous youth into the trades.

“Unfortunately, a lot of Indigenous people are in these circumstances,” he said, “so if you want to be involved, reach out to us.”

“This initiative highlights our commitment to supporting both immediate and long-term needs,” said Rod Stagg, CEO of Indigenous Incubator Inc., in a media release. “By fostering economic empowerment and addressing barriers to success, we’re helping build a brighter future for Indigenous communities across Canada.”

The initiative was welcomed by Jay Gaudrey, who told CTV News he has been living on the streets off and on for the past 25 years.

Gaudrey just got out of incarceration Friday, and said he had nothing to keep himself warm in the cold.

“I had nothing last night – no gloves, no boots,” he said. “I’m very grateful for the help.”

Also on hand Saturday was Dolphin Dry Cleaners owner Imran Rajpoot, who hands out winter parkas and food to those experiencing homelessness every Saturday.

Rajpoot said he accepts donations from customers, dry cleans them, then hands them out to whoever needs them on Saturdays – along with some food, which on Saturday included vegetable samosas.

“Help the people that need help the most,” Rajproot said. “It’s good for our self-esteem.

“I’d rather do something than not do something,” he added. “Otherwise I’d be home watching (Premier League) football.”

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow