A place at the table

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2020 (2127 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wendi Thiessen recalls working at Great West Life and looking through her window at Agape Table across the street.

“It always struck me that it was an active, energetic, engaged place to volunteer,” the Wolseley resident says of the organization, which was based in All Saints Anglican Church at the time. “But I never had the time or opportunity to do more than observe until about a year-and-a-half ago.”

That’s when Thiessen, who has since retired, started volunteering at Agape Table.

The organization, which is now located in the basement of the Wave Church at 364 Furby St, serves breakfast every weekday to those who have a tough time making ends meet. It also hosts an emergency food bank.

In addition to its 10 staff members, the non-profit relies on 10 to 15 volunteers every day to help prepare and serve food, sort donations and clean up.

Thiessen, who is at Agape Table every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, said the best part about volunteering is interacting with a wide array of people.

“It’s an inspiring group who all have interesting stories,” Thiessen says. “It just makes Agape an incredibly diverse group, and everybody has a common goal of feeding the neighbourhood.”

Along the way, Thiessen has experienced more laughter than she expected.

“Many of these folks are struggling or living a fairly hard life, and their sense of humour is incredible and infectious,” she says. “I’ve been humbled again and again at the realization of how strong some of them are. They’re incredibly resilient.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Winnipeg, Agape Table was quick to change the way it operates.

Instead of serving a sit-down meal, the organization hands out bagged meals. About 500 people show up every weekday.

All staff and volunteers wear masks, and they have their temperature taken and their hands sanitized before starting their shifts.

They also keep their physical distancing as they work.

“It’s been a big change,” said volunteer co-ordinator Tyler Engel. “It was stressful in the beginning, but we’ve kind of worked our way into a routine now so it’s less stressful.

“Volunteers are everything. We would not be able to do anything here without volunteers.”

Engel is looking for volunteers who are available afternoons to help with cleaning and sorting. He needs people to help with data entry.

“We’re always looking for people to get in touch with us and come volunteer with us,” Engel says. “Hopefully, that can spark a relationship where people will be volunteering (even after COVID-19).”

Thiessen says she is thankful to the generous donors who support Agape Table and honoured to work with a great group of staff and volunteers.

“I think that Agape tries to match you up with things that you’re going to enjoy,” she says. “There’s always stuff to do and we laugh a lot.”

Anyone who is in good health and is not part of a high-risk group can phone 204-786-2370 or email volunteer@agapetable.ca to get involved.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.