A group of voulnteers at Central Saanich United Church launched a new program called Food and Friendship on Saturday (Feb.15) to promote positive social interactions, connections and inclusivity among residents.
The initiative, which offers free lunch to anyone in the community, was inspired by church ministry staff member Sandy Parker's experience meeting and working with many of the social services and agencies in Sidney and Central Saanich.
"We were able to find out what the needs were, see if there were any gaps and then figure out what some of our skills and strengths are here at the church to help address some issues," she said.
According to Parker, the recently built church centre, Shadywood Hall, features a commercial kitchen where they can combine some of their favourite activities with some of the community's needs.
"We found out that there were some free meals being offered in the community but there was a gap on Saturdays. So I met with some interested people from the congregation and we started to brainstorm what that might look like."
During the first Saturday free lunch, not all of the tables in the 60-person hall were full, but there were plenty of smiles and food to go around.
"So far it's not really need – it's not being hungry – although that's certainly what would be in everybody's minds here that they'd like to be able to feed the hungry," says volunteer Nancy Higgins. "It's just connections, you know, trying to get everybody to meet more new people, make friends in the neighbourhood."
Higgins said church volunteers will continue to provide free lunch every Saturday, with the goal of increasing community participation. They welcome donations to support their work.
Food and Friendship's free lunch is served at Shadywood Hall at 7180 East Saanich Rd. every Saturday between noon and 12:45 p.m.
