Westmount Church Shares an Agape Meal with the Homeless

October 8, 2006, Montreal: The Westmount SDA Church Community Services Department staff and volunteers on the thanksgiving weekend prepared and served a hot lunch to more than 170 homeless people at the Benedict Labre House, thanks to the donation from ADRA Canada and members of the Church. Guests were served with vegetable rice, turkey, mixed salad, bread and desert. The Labre House is a Centre located downtown Montreal, where many less fortunate individuals are served with breakfast and a hot lunch everyday of the week, except Friday. The Centre was established in 1952 with a mission to provide food, clothing, essential services and a sense of belonging to those who are in need.;

“On average, we serve hot lunch to about 150 individuals”, said Katheleen Gray, the Executive Director. “The lunches on Saturdays and Sundays are usually donated, prepared and served by different individuals and groups, such the one we had from the Westmount Church today,” she said. Every such group constitutes what we call a “Meal Team”. The men and women who were served sincerely appreciated the meal. “Thank you, thank you very much”, they said as they passed by the kitchen on their way out. It was truly a thanksgiving meal. One of our church members remarked: “I feel so happy to see that in less than three hours we have put a smile on the faces of over one hundred people… It is a very lifting and fulfilling experience”.;

“Thank you very much for serving our guests with kindness and respect”, said Katheleen Gray. “We hope you will be able to come more often”, she said. The Centre not only provides food for the body, but also programs and services that address other socials needs of our guests. “Throughout the week we offer different types of services, including: leisure activities, literacy and job training, seminars as well as counseling services, especially for our guests that have addiction problems such as smoking, alcohol, drugs and gambling”, she added.;

“The community services department has a unique opportunity to undertake more outreach programs and make a real difference in people’s lives”, said Sis. Rose Knight, the Community Services Leader. “All church members are invited to make a sacrifice and donate generously to this cause”, she urged. For further information on how you can assist, please contact: Sis. Rose Knight or any other member of the Community Services Committee: Sis. Sandra Williams, Sis. Cynthia Sinclair, Bro. Erie Tamale or Bro. John Farrell.