Members of Nanaimo Foodshare's employment skills programs help prepare hot, healthy meals every Monday available to those who need them for free, or by small donation. (submitted photo/Nanaimo Foodshare)

By Alex Rawnsley

needed service

New Monday meal service fills bellies, massive need in Nanaimo

Oct 17, 2021 | 6:25 AM

NANAIMO — A newly-created weekly meal service is providing a hot start to the week as the weather cools.

Nanaimo Foodshare, in partnership with St. Paul’s Anglican Church, recently created a new by-donation meal service called “Monday Lunch Together”. It runs weekly from Noon until 1 p.m. at the church on Chapel St.

Chrys LoScerbo, Foodshare’s director of food skills, told NanaimoNewsNOW participants of their employment programs serve up hot, nutritious meals every week.

“Sit down with us, we have a lovely little dining hall for you to come and socialize. It’s a pay what you can model. We take donations so that other people who can’t afford any payments, they can take those meals for themselves.”

The recommended donation is $5. Diners are required to wear a mask when not eating and provide proof of vaccination.

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Meals are also available to go, for people who don’t want to stay, or are unable to provide proof of vaccination.

Foodshare saw the opportunity to partner with St. Paul’s and have its employment program drive the new service, not only offering meals but providing valuable job skills training in cooking and serving.

Since launching in mid-September, they’ve served around 75 meals each week with any leftover food packaged up and given to partner organizations.

LoScerbo said the Monday time slot was, in part, a strategic decision.

“We do find, especially with all the school programs we work with, Monday is a really difficult day for a lot of people to make sure they have a good start to their week and a full belly with nutritious food.”

They added the weekend provides added pressures for families and restrictions on available services, so demand is high when the new week begins.

Demand for meal services in the downtown has only increased with changes to the 7-10 Club, limiting their accessibility.

Nanaimo Foodshare also works with other groups, including the Island Crisis Care Society and their newly acquired bakery on Bowen Rd., to offer buns to go with the meals.

Monday Lunch Together replaced another weekly meal service, run by St. Paul’s which was forced to stop during the pandemic.

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alex.rawnsley@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley