The Magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Serving With Joyful Generosity
Forty-five years of ministry. That’s how long St. Matthews, Kitchener, Ont., has been serving hot, three-course meals to seniors. The Loaves and Fishes ministry began March 1, 1972, organized by Rev. Fred Zinck and Sister Florence Weicker. As it remains today the ministry is not a once-a-month or even a once-a-week event. Instead these noontime meals are served three times a week from September to June. There are also two special meals each year—Christmas dinner before the short winter break and a spring dinner in June before the summer break.
The meals are purchased from a local nursing home and served by members of the congregation. Hundreds of volunteers have been involved over the years. Forty- five years ago the cost of a meal was sixty cents and has risen to $8.00 today. As the price of the meals increased, St. Matthews did fundraising to subsidize the cost to the seniors. We’ve had fun serving pie and Sunday Sundaes during coffee hour and had a great pie auction and bake sales.
The program has been extended into the summer too, with a different format. The Senior Summer Siesta is a Wednesday morning gathering of volunteers and guests. They get together for coffee, baked goodies, games and socializing.
While the numbers have declined over the years the sentiments are the same.
“I like Loaves and Fishes—the meals are good. Enjoy the company. It’s good for me and for everyone. It is a big thing if you live alone.”
“The company—it’s great listening to other people’s stories.”
“We folks who can’t cook anymore can get nutritious food. The fellowship is important for elderly people.”
“My wife and I began attending Loaves and Fishes over 20 years ago when she was suffering from Alzheimer’s. At first we attended once a week and, as her health declined, we attended more and more often until we were always present. I don’t belong to St. Matthews but I give them a lot of credit!”
Perhaps just as important are the 25 or so volunteers who are nourished by this ministry and enjoy the interaction they have with the weekly guests.
“A very short time after my start (with Loaves and Fishes), I found that the work and the people had become interesting.”
“Our guests who come for the meals also visit for friendship and pleasant social- izing. While Loaves and Fishes is a “meals only” type of event sometimes a few people stay for a game of cards and more visiting.”
Surplus food is donated to a local men’s shelter or our Out Of The Cold program in the winter.”
We have been blessed to be able to serve with joyful generosity.
— Carolin Heinze
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