The Warm Welcome Kitchen has remained a busy service, and has continued to receive the community’s support so far in 2020.
Wendy Godfrey, who is the chairperson for the Warm Welcome board, said the kitchen still attracts 50-60 people for the meals, which are served Tuesday nights at St. Giles Anglican Church and Thursday nights at Trinity Lutheran Church.
“Even when we had that really bad cold spell, we still had 50 people out to the suppers, which is really encouraging,” she said in an interview with Lifestyles.
It’s an indication to Godfrey that the kitchen is something that is needed in the community, not just for those who need financial assistance to have a good meal, but are hungry for friendship and socializing.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the Warm Welcome Kitchen serves meals to everybody, whether you have money or not,” said Godfrey. “We don’t care how much money you have or what your background is, we just want everyone to come out and enjoy a good meal and friendship and fun.”
The first supper of 2020 was a Ukrainian Christmas meal on Jan. 7, with perogies and sausage, thanks to a contribution from a local business. Since that time, well-balanced and nutritious meals have been served on a semi-weekly basis.
Godfrey praised kitchen co-ordinator Christa Jorgenson for continuing to provide affordable meals. The financial donations have made it easier for her to shop, but she remains frugal with her purchases.
“She is probably the greatest shopper I have ever met,” said Godfrey. “She can find a bargain anywhere, and she can put a meal together around the bargains that she finds. Most of our meals she keeps under $3 a person, which is quite phenomenal, I think.”
The kitchen received an influx of support from the community in December when it was revealed that it was in danger of shutting down for the Christmas break earlier than expected. But the cash donations and a surge in volunteers were among the factors that allowed it to remain open.
The donations are still coming in, making it easy for them financially.
“We’re still getting volunteers. We’re a little short on volunteer help sometimes, and that’s probably the only thing right now,” said Godfrey. “Other than that, we couldn’t ask for better.”
The kitchen has had people voice an interest in volunteering. It takes about six to eight people to volunteer each night. They show up at about 5 p.m. for the 5:30 supper, and make sure that coffee is made and condiments are set out for guests. Then they help serve the food and assist with cleanup.
The kitchen’s operations are usually wrapped up by 7:30 p.m.
Volunteers also provide conversation for the kitchen’s users.
“They’re welcome to converse with everybody. It’s a great group of people there, so that’s always a lot of fun,” said Godfrey. “Whether you’re at the supper or you’re volunteering, you get to enjoy that.”
Volunteers are invited to enjoy the meal as well.
The cash donations they have received should be enough to sustain the kitchen until the end of their season in late April or early May.
“The donations really took a lot of pressure off us, and we’re just so thankful the community rallied around us so much,” said Godfrey.
