Slight increase in July's numbers

Volunteers at the gathering place, North Bay’s Community Soup Kitchen, served a total of 2,117 meals to Neighbours-in-need throughout the month July, a slight increase over June’s total of 2,095 meals served.

Volunteers served an average of an average of 92 meals per day were served throughout July, compared to the June’s daily average of 100. There were 23 serving days in July as opposed to 21 serving days in June, which brings the total number of meals served since the opening of the facility in September of 2003 to 103,361 meals.

The demographic break down for the number of meals served at The Gathering Place are:

- 1,515 were served to adults (aged 25-60)

- 333 were served to seniors

- 238 were served to young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 years of age

- 6 pre-schoolers

- 25 school-aged children under 16 were also served a hot, nutritious meal at the gathering place during the month of July.

An Heirloom Cookbook

Copies of the gathering place’s Heirloom Cookbook are now available at the Algonquin St. location.

The cookbook is a collection of tried and true family recipes gathered by volunteers and friends of the gathering place.

Cookbooks are $15 each, with a special of $13 per book for anyone purchasing two to five cookbooks at a time and $10 per book for anyone buying six or more cookbooks at a time.

The cookbook is a major fund-raising project for the gathering place and all proceeds will go to assisting with the ongoing financial needs of the soup kitchen.

the gathering place accepts debit, Visa and Master Card donations. Regular office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Located at 392 Algonquin Ave., the gathering place serves a hot, nutritious meal from Monday through Friday, including holidays, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.