Shepherds community soup kitchen still needs your help

Jennifer Cook Baniczky has been a volunteer there for almost 40 years and although there have been a lot of changes, the need remains enormous.

I have been a Saturday volunteer at the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen for almost 40 years. It has changed significantly over the years, but the need is as great as ever.

In the past, people came because of alcohol addiction, mental health challenges and homelessness, aggravated by AIDS and then COVID-19. These reasons have not changed, except for the added danger of fentanyl, a potent opioid pain reliever. On the street, illegally-made fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs into a cheap and highly potent substance, part of a toxic drug crisis. Shepherds’ safe consumption site helps reduce harm, saving many lives, but draws a crowd.

Driving down Murray St., it is horrifying to see the desperate people on the sidewalk surrounded by garbage, a world away from our community in Manor Park and nearby neighbourhoods.

However, the Shepherds of Good Hope provides beds for those experiencing homelessness, three hot meals a day at the soup kitchen, and a shocking surprise welcome to Canada for newly arrived refugees.

I have seen some of the same people over the years, but with the safe consumption site and the COVID-19 pandemic, the older homeless people are now afraid to come. I just hope they have found somewhere else to go for a hot meal.

The clients these days are younger, more desperate, and often under the influence. They could be our sons or daughters.

New supportive housing building

At Shepherds, they can access numerous services, including supportive housing residences. These are in Kanata, Merivale Rd. and Montreal Rd. A new building under construction on Murray St. will house 48 more people with their own studio living. This is good news.

The new building should be completed in the spring of 2025 and will include new kitchens, a community drop-in space and dining area.

Thanks to my dear friends and neighbours who were wonderfully generous in answering my request for plates, mugs, bowls and cutlery when we stopped using disposable items during the pandemic. I am still requesting anything you can spare as our need is great and it is impossible to feed people when we run out of a plate or mug.

We are very lucky with faithful volunteer groups who come every month to feed and to supply the ingredients of a complete vegetarian meal for 200 hungry clients.

Now more people are coming to help, not only are former retired volunteers returning, but also students, bursting with enthusiasm and energy, are reaching out.

Enormous need

Rations are tighter now as the need at the food bank is enormous. No one will go hungry but at times we lack basics: white sugar, teabags, milk and pepper. Now sandwiches may be peanut butter with no jam or the kitchen has no desserts at lunchtime. We do miss those delicious homemade pies donated by parishioners! Some of our regular volunteers bring supplies to fill any big gaps, while I do bring a box of teabags in my car.

I love my time at the community soup kitchen although, with the long line to be served, I no longer have time to speak to the clients. I miss not getting to know them, with a little chat to see how they are doing every week. I try to share some social contact, if only a smile.

It is hard work. I return home for a long nap on the couch.

People experiencing homelessness need compassion, and I hope as you drive by the Shepherds next time you will have compassionate thoughts and realise how lucky we are in Manor Park.

If you wish to donate or to find out more, please visit the Shepherds of Good Hope website.