When we, the faith community of St. David Anglican Lutheran church received a surprise gift of a pandemic grant from Canadian Lutheran World Relief, we unanimously agreed to share our blessing.
COVID-19 put a full stop to St David’s free Sunday morning breakfast shared with neighbours. With physical distancing and health requirements, we do not have the capacity to re-tweak so are currently not able to gather.
“Many families broke bread with us every week and missing this one meal is a huge hit to their weekly budgets. Not to mention the loss of being able to physically gather with our community,” said Rev Lori Pilatzke, Pastor and faith leader at St David. “We pivoted to find ways we could provide support with our community partners.” she added.
St David’s now hangs masks, free to neighbours, on a Warming Cross located outside their building, corner of Regent and James Streets in Orillia. The church’s Outreach committee prepares a simple lunch for the lunch guests at the Lighthouse on Peter Street and the Harmony Centre’s free one to one counselling sessions are back to in person as well as via zoom & phone.
“When we received an unexpected ‘pandemic’ grant of $2,400 from Canadian Lutheran World Relief we unanimously supported a motion to give $1,000 to the Sharing Place Food Bank,” said Outreach committee member Sandy Donald.
St. David Anglican Lutheran Church donated money to The Sharing Place this week. From left: Nancy Hannah, Program Coordinator, and Chris Peacock, Executive Director of The Sharing Place and from St. David, Outreach member Sandy Donald and Pastor Lori Pilatzke.
“Right now the food bank is focused on feeding families and focusing on school breakfasts. We always seek ways to partner with others who share our love,” she noted.
The Sharing Place Food Bank’s ‘School Fuel’ program is now in 16 schools in Orillia, and feeds over 1,000 children every day.
“There’s nothing like a ‘global pandemic’ to bring us closer together. Our shared goal is to bankrupt the food banks – by making sure that all are fed,” added Pastor Lori.
Thank you Canadian Lutheran World Relief for your belief in the mission we share, being the light of Christ as we all ‘journey together’.
Submitted by Lori Pilatzke