Over the last number of months, I have had the privilege of serving regularly at The Elgin Street Mission, most recently becoming captain of the Wednesday night team. It has proven to be a rewarding experience, where I have learned from the guests, and seen the importance of helping Sudbury’s vulnerable population. Founded by Gary Newbury in 1989, it has grown from serving 8 people on its first night, to needing to provide support to over 200 people every day.
Even though it is one of the most important organizations in our city for caring for the vulnerable, many Sudburians do not know what they do. The Elgin Street Mission is one of the 3 organizations contained in the Samaritan Centre. The most commonly known thing that the mission provides is breakfast and dinner, every day, 365 days per year. But they also do so much more! They provide clothing, shower facilities, a drop-in centre, pastoral care and weekly church services. The Blue Door Soup Kitchen serves lunch through the week and Teen Challenge (the newest tenant to the centre), provides addiction and rehab assistance to those 18 and up.
All Nations Church has provided much support to the Mission over the last number of years with our Cookies for Christ program, and sponsoring one night a month with volunteers. We also have the privilege of sponsoring a BBQ this Wednesday for the guests with black angus beef hamburgers! Our own Pastor Gerry is on the Community Care team, who work at the mission to fund all of the services provided.
But this work can’t continue without all of our help. As the opioid crisis worsens and society recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more and more people needing to be served. If you can, we urge you to sign up to volunteer for a team (my team is on Wednesday nights!) or donate to the organization. Donations can be done monetarily, or through purchasing food. Their most needed food items are coffee mate, coffee (not instant or k-cups), canned sandwich meat, pasta and pasta sauce.
