Ladies of Sandwich make thousands of meals for Montreal’s shelters and missions

The Ladies of Sandwich is a group of women who meet every week to make hundreds of meals for those in need.

With growing numbers of people struggling, there’s increasing pressure on Montreal’s shelters and missions to feed people.

The Ladies of Sandwich in Westmount are helping to change that, making hundreds of sandwiches for those in need every Monday at the Greene Centre.

“It’s lots of fun,” said Judy Clarke, a Lady of Sandwich. “You can see that we all have a great time together.”

Depending on the week, they could be making peanut butter and jelly, egg salad or another type of sandwich.

“We are imagining there’s men, women and maybe even children, and it may be their only meal of the day,” said Pat Fox.

“We’re lucky,” said Jane Wightman. “We’re basically self-sufficient, and if we’re short of money, we find ways of getting donations.”

No matter what they are making, there is always a layer of something else.

“If I go back to the essence of our mission it’s to help one another,” said Heather Hodges of The Green Centre. “When you walk into this space, you’re just met with this motherly love, no matter who you are, where you are coming from, or what’s going on.”

“It’s just satisfying because you’re helping people, and the world needs help these days, a lot of help,” said Clarke.

Their work goes to several organizations, including Bread and Beyond, the NDG Depot and the Union United Church.

“Some are homeless, some have no jobs, some are refugees, and some people just need the help,” said Charlene Hunt of the Union United Church.

“It’s their consistency that really helps,” said Bread and Beyond’s Kirstie Jagoe. “We can rely on them every single Monday morning to kickstart our week for that first delivery.”

All year, nothing stops the ladies from doing good.

The Ladies of Sandwich have been gathering for around three years, making over 12,000 sandwiches a year.

They also collect toiletries, winter clothes and have bake sales.

“It’s not just sandwiches that we’re making,” said Wightman. “It’s about building community. It’s a great source of joy, actually. It’s a great way to begin Monday mornings.