Hamilton’s Good Shepherd Centre provides over 600 free Easter dinners

They produce over 900 meals a day for those in need and Hamilton’s Good Shepherd Centre doesn’t take a break for Easter.

Instead, they’ve seen an increased demand for their services.

“For this Easter dinner, we’ve cooked over 70 turkeys,” says Greg McCausland, Chef at Good Shepherd Hamilton.

The work started six weeks ago.

The Good Shepherd Hamilton prepares meals for homes and shelters in their network throughout the year.

Monday is special because it’s Easter for those who celebrate, it’s a chance to give back and remember why they do this.

“It’s fairly evident to anyone as they work through our community, there’s a tremendous number of people in need,” says Katherine Kalinowski, the COO of Good Shepherd.

In the last few years, the Good Shepherd says the need for meals has doubled and shelters are operating at or above capacity.

“We’re seeing a spiralling demand for some of our services particularly for food security and emergency shelter,” says Kalinowski.

The Good Shepherd has prepared over 600 turkey dinners for Monday’’s Easter meal, but the work doesn’t stop when the meal is done.

“I need it because the price of food is just crazy and expensive,” says Darryl, a client of Good Shepherd. “Everything is expensive now, if you can get a free meal why wouldn’t you get it?”

The volunteers are here for clients like Darryl. He’s been coming for the past 13 years and says the support he gets makes life a little easier.

“It’s important for the meal because if you have to go out and buy a turkey, potatoes and all this and make it for one person, that’s a lot of work,” says Darryl.

“The most standout moment for me was a couple of years ago when I had an entire family that came for a meal. There were three little kids and there was the couple and they had a baby in a stroller,” says McCausland. “Just seeing the reach we can have and also seeing the need.”

The Good Shepherd Hamilton helps out where they can. More information can be found on their website.

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