Elgin Street Mission serves Holiday meals with volunteer groups

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Sudbury mission serves 250 nightly as cost of living drives need

Volunteers step up at Elgin Street Mission

The Elgin Street Mission in Greater Sudbury has once again launched its annual Mission 31 initiative, providing hot meals each night throughout December with the help of rotating community groups. The program commenced with a notable turnout from both volunteers and attendees, setting a tone of generosity for the season.

Fostering community spirit and shared purpose

The mission’s director Amanda Labreche explained to CTV News the core philosophy behind involving diverse groups.

“The idea is to have different groups in as well, throughout the month, different community groups serving to be able to see what we do here at the mission,” she said.

The inaugural evening featured a live band, enhancing the communal atmosphere.

Volunteer Sonia DelMissier of the Rotary Club Sudbury Sunrisers said she connected the event to the season’s deeper meaning.

“It’s part of getting into the spirit of Christmas and not the commercial spirit, but the true meaning of Christmas,” she said.

Having volunteered in prior years, DelMissier noted a distinct feeling in kicking off the month-long effort.

“It’s the sense that maybe we’re making a difference, each of us in our own little way, that for however brief a time, we’re providing some kind of comfort to people who need it,” she said.

Unprecedented generosity meets rising need

This year’s campaign has garnered remarkable support, raising more than $31,000 and engaging even more than 31 community groups. The surge in volunteers has even allowed the mission to expand its services.

“People are very generous with their time, especially here in Sudbury. It’s the holiday season; people want to give back, and so, finding people to serve for 31 days has been easy,” said Labreche.

“We’ve actually not had enough days. We had to open up breakfast. So that’s a good problem to have. I call it good problems.”

However, this increase in support coincides with a significant rise in demand for the mission’s services. Labreche told CTV News of an escalating need within the community.

“With the cost of living going up more. We’re seeing those young families, and so we serve between on a regular night. We usually aim for 200 on other nights. Sometimes that’s 250. So there are increases,” she said.

Community’s generosity shines amid crisis

Despite the growing challenges, Labreche expressed profound gratitude for the local response, which ensures warm meals during the holidays.

“We have such a generous community, you know, to raise $1,000 a night and then to have a very generous company to match that,” she said.

“It’s amazing for what our people are going through for the crisis that we’re really in right now in Sudbury.”

Labreche continued to say that she is grateful to community members and sponsors who have donated, and how it shows how generous Sudbury is in helping everyone have a warm holiday meal this season.