A new initiative is bringing food, comfort, compassion and support to vulnerable people in our community.
The Operation Mercy Relief Street Ministry food trailer is a collaboration between Holy Name of Jesus and St Alphonsus Liguori Catholic churches, and Sacred Way Ministries.
Volunteer Trevor Levesque says on Saturdays one group of parishioners will prepare food with another group going out to support those in need.
“We’re going to try the downtown core,” he says. “That’s the general area where people gather. We’re going to work with the Crisis Centre as well.”
Levesque says the Crisis Centre has allowed them to go to its overflow shelter area at a McIntyre Street hotel.
He says the initiative is all about treating people with kindness and humility.
“We are called to serve and reach out to our brothers and sisters who are in need in our community,” he says. “Help with prayer, help serve food, give warm clothes and do general outreach.”
Levesque also says there’s a need for food outreach on the weekends.
“Especially with The Gathering Place reducing their hours and not offering food on the weekends,” he says. “Some other parishes offer meals. We know Holy Name of Jesus offers a lunch every third Saturday of the month. But there really isn’t a lot of options.”
Levesque says the food trailer was a generous donation that has allowed the street ministry to expand into the winter months.
Anyone looking to volunteer or support the initiative with warm clothes or monetary donations can contact Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Memorial Drive.
