OUT OF THE COLD

The Out of the Cold program was initiated in 1987 by students of St. Michael’s High School in Toronto with the support of Sister Susan Moran and an Anglican and a Catholic priest. Although the program opened initially with one faith group, the idea quickly spread. There are now many groups in Toronto as well as in Barrie, Calgary, Peterborough, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and St. Catherine’s.

The Peterborough program began as a joint project between St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral and St. Alphonsus Parish in January, 2008. It is held at the Stone School each Saturday from November 1 – March 31 each year. Doors open at 3pm, soup is served at 4pm and dinner is served at about 5pm. The program has the support  of  Bishop Nicola de Angelis and Congregational Leader  Sr. Dorothy Ryan and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Throughout the first year, many faith communities rallied in support of the program. Local restaurants and food suppliers as well as Kawartha Food Share were generous in their support.

Our Guests

Those who come to the Stone School as our guests are usually the homeless, marginalized and socially isolated people throughout the City of Peterborough. An important component of the program is socialization so that we can get to know one another and recognize our oneness.

Our Volunteers

Out of the Cold is fully operated and dependent upon volunteers for its support. This support includes food, clothing and financial donations. Donations of money should be made to St. Alphonsus or St. Peter’s and a tax receipt will be issued.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please call Gwen Johnston, the Director, at 745-9007 or e-mail at gjohnston12@cogeco.ca.

Or you may come along to the Stone School on a Saturday evening and give us your name and see how the program operates.

Our Meals

All food is donated weekly – usually a casserole – and soup for 100 or more is usually donated by a group or 1 or 2 persons.  The type of casserole will be decided the previous week and recipes will be available. A vegetarian dish will be available.

Dessert is limited to ice-cream and fruit. The ice-cream is donated by Baskin-Robbins and volunteers slip in and fill the long table with varieties of fruit. Occasionally, there is carrot cake or banana bread.

Monetary Donations

St. Vincent de Paul Store has been very helpful in donating comforters for overnight guests and plates for the meals. Occasionally, we need to purchase items such as bread, kitchen items and serving dishes.

We also have an occasional entertainer – especially on special occasions – and a small remuneration is given, if needed.