Agape Table looking for volunteer help, donations as Thanksgiving approaches
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, a local organization said it could use some extra hands and donations to help those in need.
Agape Table is preparing for its Thanksgiving meal, which will be handed out on Thursday.
This year, the meal will feature ham, potatoes, cooked vegetables and dessert.
Dave Feniuk, the general manager of Agape Table, said the number of people in need has skyrocketed since the pandemic. On average, they now serve around 600 people a day. The organization even saw a one-day record of 768.
“We started with 85,000 [meals served for the year] in 2019. In 2021, we were up over 126,000 [meals served for the year],” said Feniuk.
He added they are still having to serve people at the door as they are not able to have everyone inside.
With an increased number of people being served, Feniuk said they are in need of more volunteers.
“We only have a staff of seven sometimes eight, without volunteers, we couldn’t make the magic happen.”
Aaron Scarff, the volunteer coordinator for Agape Table, said the volunteers who work the morning shift, show up bright and early and start preparing the meals that will be handed out that day. He said they usually put in a few hours of work every day.
“The volunteers at Agape Table are probably the most integral part of what we do each day. Without them, we just simply cannot exist,” said Scarff. “Without the continuous support of each volunteer that donates their time, it enables us to keep doing what we do.”
Scarff said volunteering at Agape Table gives a sense of belonging and community, adding they’re a bright spot of his day.
Along with needing volunteers, Feniuk said the organization is always in need of food and monetary donations.
He said anything can be donated and nothing goes to waste.
“Without food, we can’t do what we do,” said Feniuk. “And we always have excess costs, so your monetary donations are imperative.”
Feniuk added they are also always looking for hygiene products, as well as clothing items like socks.
Agape Table is funded 100 per cent by donations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Fine dining, at a new high. A Michelin-starred chef will take his cuisine to our upper atmosphere
Six guests are set to ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience served up by Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.