I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. - Matthew 25:35

Feeding the hungry with a ready made meal packaged in environmentally-friendly containers.

It was necessary in March 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions for indoor food preparation in churches, to suspend the usual operation of the Sandwich Ministry which brought sandwiches, hot coffee, and essential items to the homeless on St. Catherine’s street and our neighbourhood.

In autumn of 2020 St. John’s was able to establish a partnership with the Milton Park (our local neighbourhood) Community Kitchen which was looking for a space that would be approved in accord with their “essential service” designation. Every week a team of three, following health regulations prepares take-away meals and these are distributed in conjunction with the Food Bank. Meals are brought to neighbourhood shut-ins and some are picked up by their helpers or those who can move about. Approximately 50 meals are distributed.

The ministry/programme is supported by donations designated for “Sandwich Ministry” (purpose to feed homeless and those in dire straits is the same) as well as by Food Security Grants from the Eastern Synod, ELCIC and local community agencies. The programme began as every two weeks, but expanded to every Friday. Today the Sandwich Ministry has been rolled into the Food Bank program that operates each Friday.