Linking new hope with new warehouse, all thanks to Winnipeggers

Volunteers organize supplies at Linking Hope in Winnipeg on May 23, 2026. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg)

A new hope was linked to a new warehouse in the South Point Douglas neighbourhood.

Linking Hope acts as a distribution hub, connecting businesses and individuals with surplus supplies to grassroots agencies – supporting people who are in need of those supplies.

Its warehouse was previously located on 190 Disraeli Fwy – second floor of where N’Dinawemak (Our Relatives’ Place) operated. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew previously confirmed the Indigenous-led homeless shelter will close on April 1 and transition into a “navigation centre” helping the city’s homeless population.

• READ MORE: Emergency shelter closing to become navigation centre for Winnipeg’s homeless population: premier

With the transition, the organization also needed to leave the building – and they found a new space at 323 Edwin St, right across from their old location.

“That’s a great new warehouse space that will help us move more stuff to help community,” said Kristie Pearson, board chair of Linking Hope.

More than 100 volunteers gathered to move a vast number of supplies – pallets of boxes, bags of bedding, clothing and more.

“It’s been incredible. I think the reality is – most Winnipeggers want to help; they just don’t know how. We’ve been lucky enough to connect with some incredible humans from all areas of our city and community.”

Pearson said the organization is currently working with more than 120 agencies, with that number only growing.

“We can supply them with the hygiene supplies, clothing, household items, and a variety of different items that are primarily new.”

More than 90 per cent of the supplies are donated in new condition by its corporate partners, she added.

Pearson started the work back in 2020 from her garage but moved into 191 Disraeli Fwy in 2023 – along with co-founders Lawrence “Spatch” Mullhall and Rob Crowley, who were doing the same work from the back of their trucks.

“In 2020, things were tough. A lot of the non-profit agencies were struggling to find supplies that were needed by community members. I was receiving emails from these agencies saying, ‘We need stuff.’

“I ended up sending out some emails that went a little viral … and we ended up delivering about 12 trucks a week to non-profit agencies to support them – and it was just growing and growing so much.”

The two adjectives — “selfish” and “addictive” — were used to describe Pearson’s reason to continue the work.

“It made me feel good to help other people … giving back and doing this work – it’s addictive because it makes you feel better and you meet so many incredible people,” Pearson said.

“The cars are moving and people are moving, and every one of these people has impacted my life in a way that I won’t forget – especially some of the relatives on our street.”

More information about Linking Hope is available online.

With files from CTV News’ Charles Lefevbre