The gift that keeps on giving

East Kildonan

Transcona

Sometimes, a warm meal or a sandwich can do more than simply provide nourishment. Sometimes it’s good for the soul.

Founded by members of St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in East Kildonan and Transcona Memorial United Church, Gifts of Grace started providing over 100 hot Thursday night and Sunday morning meals each week for Main Street Project 14 years ago. Meals include hot casseroles, sandwiches, dessert, and juice.

Now, each week, the Gifts of Grace group, which includes members of other churches as well as the general public, makes over 800 sandwiches for the Main Street Project patrol van, along with the weekly meals. In total, volunteers from the group make over 1,100 sandwiches each week.

Longtime volunteer Campbell McIntyre has been with the group since its founding.

“We have about 65 volunteers, including several from other churches, as well as volunteers who aren’t church related, at all,” he said. “We’ve had a few people who have stuck with us for several years who just answered the call.”

Those who are able meet in small groups throughout the week to prepare the food and distribute it.

“It’s mostly seniors, and we not only find enjoyment from it and feel its an honour to be involved to help folks who unfortunately don’t enjoy many of the things we take for granted,” McIntyre said. “But we also have time with each other. It’s a camaraderie thing. That keeps everybody coming back.”

While McIntyre admitted that the core group is getting older, he remains hopeful that the work will continue as needed into the future.

“The impetus as to who picks it up next is unknown,” he said. “(But) the next wave might already been embedded within our group.”

While the camaraderie among the group is one of the driving factors in bringing the volunteers together each week, so to is knowing their work is not only needed but appreciated.

“The appreciation afforded us on a Sunday morning is mostly thank you enough — if we were looking for thank you, which we’re not,” McIntyre said. “It’s fun to do.”