Brantford Blessing Centre raising funds to expand services this winter

A Brantford outreach program is looking to expand beyond the 50,000 meals they serve yearly, and is asking for funds to buy out the building they’re currently in so they can include space for a warming centre this winter.

The Brantford Blessing Centre serves a hot meal every night of the week, 365 days a year with a team of 120 volunteers.

The food they use often comes in the form of donated leftover food from stores, restaurants and other events. Board Chair Terry Howard remembers one local kitchen manager and her reason for giving back.

“She says I was down and out and came to the Blessing Centre to eat and she says if you weren’t there, I would’ve been in serious trouble,” Howard said.

In March, the City of Brantford declared a food insecurity emergency. As part of their housing stability winter sheltering plan, they are working with The Blessing Centre to provide more warming space this winter.

The Blessing Centre will operate as a temporary warming location during set hours each day, offering warm meals and connection to longer-term supports.

The Brantford Blessing Centre shares their space with the owner. The owners are selling the building, so now the Brantford Blessing Centre wants to buy it out to expand the services they do.

Through the Building Hope Together Campaign, the Blessing Centre is challenging one person to influence 12 people to donate $100 each. They hope this approach will bring their monthly $6,600 mortgage down to $0, so they can focus their resources directly to those who need it.

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