by P Marsden-Dole
Knox Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Elgin and Lisgar, has stepped up to the call for some additional kindness in this time of COVID-19.
Knox has been helping out in Centretown for many years. In 1943 the Women’s Guild, with the support of their church community, created a lunch program for people working in the nearby federal defence buildings. In 1945 that service was extended to feed hungry soldiers returning from the war via the nearby Ottawa train station.
In 1995, volunteers, under the inspiration and guidance of George Fyffe, revived the practice, but this time for the homeless eking out an existence in the downtown area of the nation’s capital.
This project became known as the “Out of the Cold” programme, serving a hot sit-down meal in the downstairs church hall every Saturday night from November through March–the five coldest months of the year.
In this year of the pandemic, Knox’s pastor, Jim Pot, and his team felt they could continue this project for the homeless to the end of April but in a different format.
I asked Pastor Jim for his inspiration for this extra effort. He said that this was the tradition of his church community in keeping with the command of Jesus Christ to his followers to feed the hungry.
Generous financial support is being received from Faulkner Realty and extra help from Massine’s Independent Grocer, as well as help from members and friends of Knox Church.
Volunteers come from the church and a call out sent by the Centretown Community Association to their members.
Packaged hot meals are now available for pick-up at Knox twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. during the month of April.
Steve Rock, who has worked with the Ottawa Food Bank, is the volunteer manager of this project.