Since 2010 the Parish of the Good Shepherd has provided a community lunch free of charge every Wednesday. Known as the “Shepherd’s Cafe,” it is a ministry of hospitality and operates with volunteers and entirely on donations. Over 60 volunteers now make the ministry happen from March to November every year and well over one hundred persons, reflecting the spectrum of the wider community from young parents to seniors, come to share in the meal and fellowship every week.
In 2011 the provincial government awarded a grant of $40,000 to the church to enable the refurbishment of the kitchen so that the ministry could better serve members of the community and those receiving assistance from government agencies.
Growth in the café has maintained itself to the extent that frequently there is no available seating for all who come and the parish is discussing ways to expand its physical space for this ministry.
It is conservatively estimated by the parish that over 4000 free meals will be given to the community through the Wednesday Café each year with a value of over $40,000.

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