A helping hand.

Earlier this week, president Jay McNeil, kicker Rene Paredes and receiver Jalen Philpot took to the streets of downtown Calgary to distribute warm drinks, warm clothes, and heat warmers to the city’s unhoused.

They joined non-profit group BeTheChangeYYC as part of its Bridges to Belonging campaign, an initiative focused on building connections that allow more organizations to play an active role in supporting the fight against homelessness and making all Calgarians feel like they belong.

The organization began as a grassroots initiative in 2015 and has since grown into a non-profit that is 90 per cent volunteer run and funded. They offer assistance to hundreds of vulnerable and at-risk citizens through homeless street outreach with shifts every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

“I think it’s super cool,” said Philpot. “Especially as a guy who’s been here for seven years now in Calgary, this is something I’ve never really got to learn about before.

“It’s something you see all the time, especially as someone who spends time downtown and seeing the homelessness and the struggle that goes on in the City of Calgary. I think it’s cool to know that this is a place that cares about this cause, and it’s something they want to fight and they want to give back to people.”

McNeil, Paredes and Philpot took a tour of the BeTheChangeYYC headquarters before taking their outreach shift where they learned about harm reduction, where supplies are stocked, and mingled with the volunteers.

Philpot applauded the organization’s thoroughness and dedication.

“To see this firsthand, seeing the supplies and the hard work that goes on behind-the-scenes with these people who are on the frontlines and trying to make a change every single day for the city.

“It’s super cool that we’re out here,” he said. “We’re getting a firsthand look and being able to make a change and a difference in this environment for these people even if it’s just for one day.”

Accompanied by the volunteers at BeTheChangeYYC, McNeil, Paredes and Philpot walked down Stephen Avenue on a frigid Calgary night, handing out hot tea and cider, toques, gloves, snowpants and snacks to anyone in need.

For Philpot, using his platform as a Stampeder to give back to the community is so important.

“That’s one of the biggest things, when people see the horse logo, they know what it represents, they know we’re the Stampeders,” he said. “To be able to give them hope that people like us do care and we do see them, that’s huge. That’s why it’s so awesome to be out here with Rene and we’re trying to help them.”