Food For A Day crew going door to door

The Gathering Place
News Release

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Local businesses can expect a visit this summer by a young college student promoting the ongoing “Food For A Day” program initiated by the gathering place.

Jessie Desjardins has been hired by North Bay’s Community Soup Kitchen with funding being provided through a Canada Summer Jobs grant from Service Canada. His task will be to help raise funds to cover the ongoing operating costs of the gathering place that has served over 102,000 meals since opening its doors in September of 2003.

Jessie is currently enrolled in a three-year Child and Youth Care Worker College program and is looking forward to meeting with members of the local business community.

“Through this job I hope to make even a small difference in the lives of the many people who need to use the gathering place. I have volunteered there before so I know the many reasons why so many come to use the services of a soup kitchen. Some come for only a short time, while others have come to rely on the kitchen on an almost daily basis, “ states Jessie.

For those businesses which have supported the gathering place in previous years through the “Food For A Day” program, Jessie will be making courtesy calls and inviting their participation again this year. He will also be explaining the program to any businesses not familiar with the sponsorship program that has met with great success over the last three years.

Businesses who contribute $250 to sponsor the gathering place for a day will receive a charitable tax receipt, a recognition plaque, their business name placed on an indoor dining room sign, along with their business name displayed on the gathering place’s new “LCD” sign outside of its 392 Algonquin Ave. location. Of course, donations of any amount are gratefully accepted to support the “Food For A Day” program. Peter Taylor is the project coordinator of the “Food For A Day” program.,

Serving lunch from Monday to Friday, including holidays, the gathering place serves a hot, nutritious mid-day meal to neighbours-in-need from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The mission statement is: to provide a hot meal in a warm environment to people in need.

Jessie may be contacted through the gathering place at 474-SOUP (7687) from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. An answering machine may be utilized after hours and on weekends.

the gathering place would also like to remind students that they may wish to complete their mandatory community service hours during the summer months. If you would like to become a volunteer or have any questions regarding what volunteer opportunities are available, please contact Kim Smith, Operations Manager/Volunteer Coordinator at 474-SOUP (7687).

The Gathering Place is a community-driven soup kitchen with no formal ties to any social service or religious organization. It is a not-for-profit organization with Registered Charity status.

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