Saturday 1 April 2017

April 2, 2017

Hi Vacationing Volunteers,

There's always a pang of regret as we send off our guests after their last OOTC meal of the season. If only we could keep on cooking and just send their meals by Just Eat food delivery; however, it couldn't come close to the personal deliveries you have so generously accomplished. That's just one of the reasons you need to attend The Volunteer Appreciation Night Dinner, Thurs. April 20th, flyer attached.  Please RSVP ASAP to Norma or myself...now.

We have the greatest respect and appreciation for three wonderful people: Norma, our coordinator of volunteers who along with Mark sticks around to the shiny and tidied end every Tuesday night, and to Peter, retired from the Hamilton Police Department, our security person who has kept us all in check, welcoming everyone who comes to our little dinner parties.
We wish to thank Christ’s Church Cathedral for their hospitality and kindness for taking in 60 volunteers who had nowhere else to go. Because OOTC is there Saturday (shout out to Sherry and her gang for allowing us to share) and Tuesdays, our 1,956 guests put a lot of wear and tear on that good church of theirs and that’s why we are so doubly grateful.

Did you RSVP yet?  Thanks. Now, put your feet up and enjoy the article Best of Jewish Hamilton: Out of the Cold in the Passover edition of The Hamilton Jewish News.  It's quite the cherry on the top of our 17th Season.

In all seriousness, it's shameful that in Hamilton, a privileged city, there is such a high rate of poverty.  This message has been repeated over and over again for so long. However, two important events will take place this week. City Council will vote on $50 million for the repair of unused housing units, housing allowances, shelter diversion strategies, indigenous-led strategies for poverty and homelessness, “wraparound” help for single parents with everything from child health to employment to recreation programs and finally, for nurse-family partnerships. Also, this week's 3-day conference “Cities Reducing Poverty When Business is Engaged” takes place in Hamilton. It will demonstrate how businesses of all sizes can engage in addressing poverty — through inclusive hiring practices, living wages and more.  Oh, how we pray for their success.

So to all of you who took on this task and gave their time and energy with selfless desire, thank you. Chag Pesach Sameach, Happy Easter, Happy Spring and Summer; see you in the Fall.  And as it is written on our menu board each week, “ENJOY!”

Cindy