In November, the Parish of the Lower Valley launched a new ministry — Centre 440. Its mission is to serve hot, healthy lunches every Saturday from the parish hall of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hawkesbury.
Just a few months into its operations, the Centre 440 team of volunteers reports that the average number of people coming for the meal has increased to 45 – 50 people each Saturday. The team noted that they are preparing and distributing additional meals because if someone who comes for lunch is homeless, they send that person out with a bag containing a couple of lunches-to-go with high protein items such as hard-boiled eggs, cheese, peanut butter — items they can keep in their vehicle for a few days. That brings the total number of meals prepared to about 70 each week.
Penny Kallio keeps up with statistics from the municipalities and shared these startling figures: In the United Counties of Prescott Russell for December there were 150 households considered homeless — 94 adults,34 families, and 18 youths between the ages of 16 – 25 were homeless. 50% men and 50% women. At 59%, the majority of the households across the UCPR experiencing homelessness were in the town of Hawkesbury. This represents an 80% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
There is no visible encampment in the city, but the team meets people living in their cars, in the woods, under bridges and in storefronts.
Ron Kallio said that the centre extended the hours it was open during the times of extreme cold. Normally, they open the doors at about 10:30 am and close at about 1 pm, but they opened at 9 a.m. and stayed open during the afternoon to offer people a warm place to be.
Carolyn Coffin-Caputo said there is a steady stream of encouragement from people in Hawkesbury, making financial donations or wanting to volunteer their time to help. About half of the volunteers are members of the parish, but the other half are volunteers from the community.
The team also shared the good news that they now have a now have an ongoing arrangement with Second Harvest, an organization that redistributes surplus food from grocery stores and businesses that would otherwise be thrown out to people in need. The Foodland in Van Kleek Hill now automatically allocates food to Centre 440 twice a week.
They are also lifted up by individual acts of kindness. A couple living in their car came into the centre to charge a battery pack to try to revive a dead car battery. Carl Laliberté of Laliberté Auto in Hawkesbury went beyond helping them charge their old one and brought them a good used battery.
While Coffin-Caputo was visiting Centre 105 in Cornwall, Emma Weller came in to distribute the winter bundle bags she makes with her handmade hats, mitts, neck-warmers, socks, hand and toe warmer and treats. When she heard about Centre 440, she soon arrived with bundles for everyone, which Coffin-Caputo said delighted the recipients.
Another bit of serendipity happened when Anne Kirby visited from All Saints Anglican Church in Greely, where they weave recycled milk bags into waterproof mats to sit or sleep on. She brought some mats for participants and ended up explaining how they make the mats. “I did a simple video of Anne Kirby explaining the milk bag mats, posted it on our Facebook page,” said Ron Kallio. He was shocked when the video got 800,000 views “I’m still answering questions.” — five or six a day from around the world asking how you make the mats and asking what milk bags are.”
The Rev Felix Longdon (kneeling) with Jane Longdon, Rob Guerrini and Emma Weller (winter bundles) and Carolyn Coffin-Caputo
Centre 440’s tribute to Marc Beaudet
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and cook at Centre 440 Hawkesbury, Marc Beaudet.
Marc was with us from the very first day we opened our doors three months ago. In that short time, he became the heartbeat of our kitchen. He didn’t just bring his talent for cooking; he brought a huge smile that could brighten the toughest mornings and a laugh that echoed through the entire hall.
He believed in our mission from the start, and he made sure that every person who walked through our line felt seen, welcomed, and cared for. Our kitchen feels far too quiet without his energy, but we are so grateful that he was the one to help us start this journey.— Ron Kallio
Cathedral Deanery — Wallis sketching Christ Church Cathedral West Window Cartoon