St. Paul’s Social Services

Volunteers, staff and people who come to the Fellowship Centre for lunch all gathered on October 29th to honour Bill and Eve Sutherland’s contributions to the Fellowship Centre. Bill and Eve retired at the end of October, after over ten years of dedicated service. Bill and Eve have provided more than hot lunches to thousands of people who live on desperately low incomes. Along with many volunteers they have offered up smiles, caring, concern and a safe, warm place for their many guests. Thank you Bill and Eve from all of us. May your retirement be long, healthy and full of rich adventure.

The Fellowship Centre will continue to offer hot lunches to those in need. Beginning in December 2014, each weekday will be coordinated by two volunteers who are helping to create menus based on popular and nutritious recipes from some of our partners at other lunch programs, as well as some of the favourites at the Fellowship Centre. In September, we interviewed fifty people who use the Fellowship Centre. They told us about their history, their health, living situation and where they eat. We asked them what they would like to see at the Fellowship Centre for programming. We will use these interviews to guide us in planning new activities and services at the Fellowship Centre. We hope to build on the sense of community that is there already; creating more opportunities to meet, talk and engage in programming together.

We are already receiving donations from supporting churches and individuals for our Christmas Share program. Thank you! We have asked that if possible, financial donations work best as they allow us to order the type of cards needed, in time for delivery. However, all donations, including gift cards are gratefully received and will be used for the Christmas Share program. If you choose to send gift cards, Walmart and President’s Choice are the most frequently requested. Please make any cheques out to St. Paul’s Social Services, and indicate Christmas Share on the memo line. Thanks again for thinking of those in need at this special time of year.

Early in 2015 we will be recruiting and training ten volunteers to begin one more of our new strategic directions: Advocacy and Referral. These new roles will help us support people who come to our service and are in need of more than food. Sometimes people would like to just have someone to listen. Or they may be seeking additional services such as dental, housing or job search support. There will be a volunteer available every weekday to listen and provide numbers for appropriate referrals. Sometimes, these volunteers will just sit and actively listen. If you have interest in this role, please contact us.

May you be blessed with a winter season that brings you the gifts of inward time: true reflection, wisdom and peace.

Lynn Prentice is the Executive Director of St. Paul’s Social Services