In addition to the meals being served on site, all “leftovers” and food item that had not been used on a given day are offered for participants to take home. It is hard to put a number on this but is about 10 people per week on average. 

About 20 articles of clothing are distributed weekly. About one pair of shoes is distributed weekly from a supply of gently used shoes and boots of about 150 pair. 

A safe, comfortable, welcoming haven is afforded to those souls who have been fed over the last three years. This environment is important. A sense of community is developed, and as a result, a better sense of “self”. About twelve of the “diners” now assist in setup or cleanup. This exhibits that growing sense of “self”, the ability to offer something of value to your community. 

153 people are registered for food vouchers, distributed once per month on alternating months for the recipients. They are being referred to us through family, friends, YMCA Immigrant Services, and Community Services (Family Outreach Program and House of Friendship). The value has varied between $20.00 and $40.00, depending on the demand and the finances of CM. The value currently is $25.00. Recipients must have at least one child under 18 living with them. The majority of the recipients at this time are Muslim immigrants and refugees. It is an honour to support them. 

An indeterminate number of people stop into the CM office during the week requesting food, pet food, clothing, advice, a friendly face, support around medical or legal issues, housing issues, furniture issues, transportation issues, etc. My estimate would be at least 4 people per day, 4 days per week for 16 people per week, 832 people per year, 2496 people over three years. 

A Christmas gift program has been conducted yearly for many years. Gift items are donated by members of Calvary Memorial United Church and St. Mark’s Church. Selected students, loosely based on perceived need, come to the parish hall and choose gifts for their family members. About 35 students are involved yearly. There is no limit on the numbers of students or the number of gifts selected. Volunteers are present to wrap these gifts. Because of the generosity of the two churches, there have always been many items left over. Some of these are used as part of Christmas Hampers sent to selected Calvary and St. Mark’s members or “friends” of those congregations. There usually is still and abundance left over. Most of the remaining items are displayed for Voucher Receivers to make a selection. Any still left over are put out for supper participants to select.