St. Paul’s Almonte finds new way to reach out with new partners

It’s tradition. For many years, Mississippi Mills residents in need enjoy a complimentary dinner with all the fixings in the church hall at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Almonte on Christmas Day. The dinner is cooked by St. Paul’s volunteers using ingredients provided by other local churches and service clubs. It takes place after the Christmas Day service and includes a rousing carol-sing led by a group of musicians from other churches who come annually to join us. We usually serve about 45 people.

But in 2020, the Christmas dinner looked rather different. 

Prevented by pandemic restrictions from hosting in the usual manner (and with the blessing of  the local health unit and the Diocese), we invited people to reserve a take-out Christmas meal, prepared by Omar Rajab and family at the Centennial Restaurant in Pakenham, Ont.. Omar is well-known locally for his generosity to the community.

As is always the case, our goal was to reach vulnerable people in our community: those in need, those living alone and – particularly in 2020 – people who would ordinarily have gathered with family but were prevented from doing so by the renewed lock-down. 

This event was advertised in local print and digital media as well as by posters in traditional community gathering spots (library, grocery store, Baker Bob’s). The meals were pre-ordered by telephone through the St. Paul’s office, pick-ups were scheduled by volunteers, and meals were picked up outside St Paul’s church.

While St. Paul’s still hosted the event in terms of organizing and coordination, the meal was sponsored by: Omar Rajab and the Centennial Restaurant (who gave us a very generous discount on the meals); MM Together (a local community fund); the Almonte Lions Club; Stonebridge Haven (a spiritual hub for seniors and caregivers; Carebridge (the Mississippi Mills community development agency); as well as our usual partners, local churches. 

On Dec. 23 at the appointed time, our volunteers were ready with masks, gloves and safety vests as cars began to roll up. Recipients’ names were checked off a list and meals in carrier bags were dropped into car trunks for “touchless delivery.” A couple of recipients walked up to receive their meals and meals for several recipients who were unable to get out were delivered.

We distributed 95 dinners between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. under pandemic protocols. A few additional dinners were donated locally as well.

It was exciting to be part of such a community effort, and it showed us that by joining hands with others we can support many more of our neighbours than we could have helped on our own. And we now have a foundation of community partnerships on which to build!