OUT OF THE COLD

PETERBOROUGH PROGRAM

The Out of the Cold program was initiated in 1987 by students of St. Michael’s High School in Toronto with the support of Sister Susan Moran, the chaplain at the high school. Although the program opened initially with one faith group, the idea quickly spread. There are now many groups throughout Toronto as well as Canada. Remembering that Out of the Cold began with students, we encourage the youth of our community to volunteer at our Saturday meals.

The Peterborough Program began as a joint project between St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral and St. Alphonsus communities in January 2008. It is held in the Stone School each Saturday from November 1 to March 31 of each year. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and close at 7 p.m. Hot soup is served at 4 p.m. and dinner is served about 5 p.m. We also serve fruit, Baskin-Robbins ice-cream and, occasionally, other desserts.

Our Guests

Those who come to the Stone School as our guests for dinner are usually homeless, marginalized and socially isolated people throughout the City of Peterborough. An important component of the program is socialization so that we can get to know one another and recognize our oneness.

Our Volunteers

Out of the Cold is fully operated and dependent upon volunteers for its support. Their support includes food, clothing and financial donations. Monetary donations may be made to St. Alphonsus Church in Peterborough and a tax receipt is issued.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Gwen Johnston at gjohnston12@cogeco.ca. Or you could just come to the Stone School on a Saturday evening to get an introduction to the operation of the program.

Our Meals

All food is donated weekly- usually by a group or a family.

Soup, salad, a main dish, ice-cream and fruit for about 80 persons is available. Occasionally there are desserts. Extra food is sent home with our guests. Several of the meals are served by the CWL groups in the area, members of the Unitarian Fellowship and individual families throughout the parishes.

Community Involvement

The St. Vincent De Paul store has been very helpful in donating plates, cutlery and mugs for the meals. Occasionally, we need to purchase items such as bread, juices, kitchen items and serving dishes. We also have an occasional entertainer from the community – on special occasions – and a small remuneration is given, if needed.

The program could not exist without the generosity of food and time of those who volunteer throughout the winter months. We have become friends to those who come into the Stone School to share a meal. What a great blessing they have become to our community!

We are grateful to the groups who have joined us in serving the meals and also to Kawartha Food Share, BECatering, Riley’s, Carousel, Gerti’s, Black Honey, Thurston’s, Pizza Factory, CUPE 126 at City Hall and the Shish-Kabob Hut for their generosity.