Good Shepherd Hamilton hosts annual Thanksgiving dinner serving people in need

There were many smiles and filled bellies at Hamilton’s largest shelter system Monday, as the Good Shepherd Centre held its annual tradition, with turkey and all the ‘fixins’.

Every year, staff and volunteers at the Good Shepherd on Mary Street, seem to set a standard when it comes to helping the community enjoy Thanksgiving.

The meals were coming out hot Monday, when the doors opened at 3 p.m., and the shelter says they prepared roughly 800 meals to meet demands this year.

Gravy-topped turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the classic fixin’s you would normally find in a thanksgiving meal reached those in need at Hamilton’s Good Shepherd Centre Monday, a tradition still going strong.

A lineup was seen outside the shelter on Mary Street, while staff and volunteers hustled to pack the meals and then hand them out — one by one, hoping to make a difference on this holiday.

One volunteer noted that this year there have been more people attending compared to previous years.

Whether it’s a first-timer or a regular at the Good Shepherd, some of the guests tip their hat off to the workers who make their day.

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Good Shepherd staff say they prepared roughly 800 meals to help serve those who arrive at the door and others at shelters and homes.

The organization says over the last few years, approximately 70 per cent of the food brought in is purchased, while the rest they receive in donations.

“It’s usually the case regarding the numbers,” said Greg McCausland, the kitchen supervisor at Good Shepherd Hamilton. “Sometimes it’s on the higher end — purchasing wise — sometimes it’s 25 to 75, other times it can be 80 – 20. Good Shepherd is purchasing a lot of food to meet our needs.”

McCausland says operations are spreading as far as it can, adding that they’re feeding and supporting more people.

“We’re personally cooking for more homes and shelters, especially now with the tiny homes complex there on the Tiffany-Barton area, as well as the men’s shelter that’s there at the Cathedral school,” said McCausland. “We’re still seeing more and more opportunities for people at other institutions, as well as the growing demand outside our doors.”

Service at the Good Shepherd on Mary Street wrapped up by around 4:30 p.m.

Anyone looking to make a difference and help out, can go to the Good Shepherd webpage and send a donation.

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