Elgin/St. Thomas Food Providers Network

A Project of the Elgin St. Thomas Food Providers Network

During the next few months food will be distributed daily from Holy Angels Elevator entrance on Talbot St. between the hours of 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Volunteer help is needed to make this happen.

There will be two key responsibilities each evening:

Firstly, a volunteer from Holy Angels is needed to unlock and lock the doors each evening. This person will need to arrive about 5:15 pm to unlock the door so the delivery of the food can take place. This person will need to supervise those entering the building. At the end of the time (6:30 pm) the door will need to be locked and the area will need to be inspected. Doing a “walk about” to ensure garbage hasn’t been left outside and no one is still around will be important at the end of the shift.

Secondly, two volunteers will be needed to distribute the food delivered to Holy Angels. Different groups within the community provide meals each day for those needing it.

These volunteers will need to come to Holy Angels for 5:15ish to receive the food bags and then hand them out to those who come looking for food. At 6:30 or once all the meals are distributed, whichever arrives first, the vestibule will need to be emptied of any food, garbage and/or tables.

Those coming for food could be homeless, substance dependant, living in a downtown apartment without cooking facilities or struggling to make ends meet. Those volunteering are required to be compassionate, understanding of the issues these people face and willing to help.

Guests coming for food will not be able to use the washrooms; volunteers may if needed. There will be no need to access the kitchen at Holy Angels.

Presently 30 meals are being prepared but this number will fluctuate for a variety of reasons over the weeks we are working on this project. All people we have dealt with during the holiday season have come, received their bag of food and left. There has just been gratitude on their part.

Some points you might want to consider:

· The church is a sacred space, and this is a good opportunity for prayer and encounter.

· The plumbing in the church can not handle extended use of the facilities. Therefore, it is not feasible to use the downstairs to host tables for people to eat.

· There are functions at the church during this time and the use of the elevator to meet our parishioners’ needs must be taken into consideration. For example, Adoration every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; ACC at 7 p.m. once per week.

· The need to care for our poor is part of what we are called as Christians to do. Each of our guests is a child of God.

· Using Holy Angels is a temporary solution until April 2023. The Food Providers Network are working with local officials to find a more permanent home for food distribution.

Once volunteers are in place a monthly schedule will be drawn up so each person can know what is happening, who to call in case of no shows and any other info we have to share. If you can volunteer contact Jennifer Paul-O’Donnell 226-268-7524 or jpod2153@gmail.com to review the responsibilities and availability.

January 30th:
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the many people who offered to help with distributing meals from Holy Angels elevator vestibule. Over 60 people have responded to the call for help and at this time the schedule for February and March is complete. One can’t help but be humbled by the support that this programme is getting. Some, for many understandable reasons, aren’t able to help but they have expressed their support of those who are helping. Always your prayers for those we serve and the success of this venture in our community is needed.

Many have asked if Holy Angels is preparing all the meals as well. The answer is no. It is only with the community support that this programme exists. For many, many months now Harvest Hands, Community Meals, Giving Back, The Islamic Centre of St. Thomas, The Salvation Army and Holy Angels Outreach have been providing meals to be given out each night of the week. Previously they were given out by a separate organization called The Nameless at their location on Talbot St. Giving out meals became a part of what they did during the pandemic because so many places weren’t able to host dinners and lunches. Starting back in December it was time for them to stop the distribution of food and return to their original mandate. Several locations were approached about hosting this food distribution but for many valid reasons they couldn’t. Each of these groups is excited Holy Angels accepted the challenge.

In the upcoming bulletins I will be trying to keep you up to date with what is happening in St. Thomas about food security issues and tell you a little about each of the organizations that are involved in preparing the food.

If you have any questions or would like more information please don’t hesitate to call or email. Jennifer @ 226-268-7524 or jpod2153@gmail.com