food and friendship for the neighbours in Snippets

I run a food program every Tuesday. We serve freshly made chili, home made banana bread, bread from one of the local bakeries and ice tea or hot chocolate depending on the season. This has been going now for twenty-one years come September. The idea of this is not just to feed people but to build relationship with people in the neighbourhood. They include people with addictions, people with mental health issues, Homeless, aboriginals, glbt, single mums , single dads, families who just can't make ends meet. and anybody who wants to partake of a hearty meal regardlesswhether you are.This meal is meant to be all inclusive. We serve anywhere from 75-125 people per week and we know about 75 percent of them by name. Many are close friends who I have known for years. I have worked with many lived with some laughed and cried with them or cried for them.