Published in March 2021
We want to thank all the volunteers, donors, and community partners who have supported our efforts to produce and distribute over 600 meals each day during the pandemic. Thank you to all those sharing the spirit of community through these challenging times especially the 2500 people and groups who donated over Christmas season. Here is a summary of the work we have accomplished.
St. John’s Kitchen Garage Distribution
This fall we renovated the garage in the Worth A Second Look parking lot to serve a daily take away meal. The garage has been used throughout the winter to serve up to 200 takeaway meals each day.
Improved Meal Preparation at Maurita’s Kitchen
In order to produce 600 meals per day we renovated Maurita’s Kitchen (which has been the main kitchen for the Queen Street Commons) into a commissary kitchen with increased meal prep volume. The main new equipment included a double commercial steam oven and an 80 gallon floor kettle. We needed all 80 gallons to produce the gravy used for the Christmas dinners. We also added a walk-in freezer and cooler and expanded our dry good storage. We are grateful to Waterloo Regional Food Bank for providing all the food that has been turned into daily meals.
Housing 80 people at UA
UA is a former university residence with 80 bedrooms. On each floor there are shared washrooms and a large bright common room for gatherings and where the meals are served. We deliver enough meals each day for breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks for 80 residents. This project, funded by the Region of Waterloo has helped 80 formerly homeless people who were either camping or in motels to have a secure room. It has been a long winter, dealing with many cases of COVID, but much learning has taken place, people have adapted to the housing, and new workers have learned on the job supportive housing skills. This project has demonstrated a new model for addressing homelessness.
St. John’s Kitchen
Each day between 140 – 180 meals are served inside at St. John’s Kitchen. We primarily serve the unsheltered, those without a home. Our space capacity is 30-40 people at once – this flows during the day with people taking turns. There is often a line up at the door. SJK provides showers (used all day long), washrooms, laundry, along with the daily meal, coffee, and snacks. There is a nurse on site every day, COVID testing and health checks are frequent. As with all spaces, COVID has been a constant presence since December. The work has been amazing as we keep St. John’s kitchen open as one of the few locations for those without housing.
