St. John’s Kitchen in Kitchener, Ont. has expanded its programming and hours, so people in need of shelter will have a warm place to rest their heads. The drop-in hub operated by The Working Centre will remain open during the day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. People are now welcome to spend the night at the 97 Victoria St. N location to escape the outdoor elements. “We call it an overnight shelter, but we don’t provide beds, we provide blankets” explained The Working Centre Director, Joe Mancini. “Throughout the course of the homelessness crisis, so many people don’t have a place to go at night.” The extended hours have been in operation since July 27 and is already proving to be poplar. “In the first week, we were averaging between 80 to 100 people a night and 500 meals or visitors during the day. It’s been pretty busy,” Mancini told CTV News. “Rather than having to gang into someone’s apartment or sleep in a tent, this is now an option.” The location closes briefly from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for cleaning and meal preparation. “St. John’s Kitchen is a place that people hope to be available. Since making it available, it’s been a place that people have used quite a bit,” Mancini said. Offering additional space The extended hours came after A Better Tent City changed ownership and The Working Centre stepped in to help run the tiny-home community. The new overnight space provides additional options for people who had been long-term visitors within the cabins at 49 Ardelt Ave. St. John’s Kitchen has offered a helping hand in the community for over 40 years now, but the new hub only opened in September of 2025. The drop-in dayside centre gives people access to meals, bathrooms, showers and laundry services. Meals handed out include porridge and muffins for breakfast, sandwiches throughout the day, as well as heartier meals that include rice, pasta and potatoes. “People really are having a heard time whether they don’t have a place to live or are just getting by with very little money, but needing a meal,” said Mancini. With expanded hours, Mancini said volunteers are needed and every helping hand goes a long way. “We need help serving the meals, cleaning up, dishwashing and so we think that can be a real good community-spirited work that is actually able to be done in after hours,” he said. “We’re thinking church groups, book clubs. They could take an evening shift, like a 6-9 p.m. shift.”
