Our Daily Bread is 10 years old this month.
On November 4, 2002 Our Daily Bread served its first delicious homemade meal and has continued providing hot nutritious meals to the poor, disenfranchised, elderly and the homeless ever since. During the past 10 years, Our Daily Bread has served over 120,000 meals.
To celebrate their success, Our Daily Bread is hosting a craft and bake sale on November 23 and 24 to raise funds for the new kitchen at its new location.
Our Daily Bread is a ministry of Kootenay Christian Fellowship for the community. The first two years of operation Our Daily Bread received financial assistance through a federal government program called Supportive Community Partnership Initiatives in collaboration with Nelson Committee on Homelessness. One of the requirements of federal funding was a sustainability plan — how they could survive after the funding ceased. Our Daily Bread embarked on two initiatives:
1. Raise awareness in the community for the need at hand, which was and is very successful. They received generous support from the people of Nelson and continue to do so.
2. They started a store called SHARE Nelson, now the largest second hand store in the Kootenays. SHARE provides more than $18,000 per year towards the annual budget, plus helps families in need, and provides gainful employment and volunteer opportunities to enhance resumes and job possibilities.
Our Daily Bread is more than just a soup kitchen. They offer a safe place to connect with others, to provide volunteer opportunities, Internet access, informal life skills counselling, emotional support, and not to forget a hearty meal each day.
A recent initiative to curb the high volume of summer transient traffic to Our Daily Bread has been very successful. They now offer a 22-meal card for a donation of $20 by regulars and area people. But for those travelling, they ask for a $4 donation to cover the cost of the meal.
They serve approximately 50 to 70 people per day, five days a week which includes women, men, children, seniors, and those with multi barriers for work.
Our Daily Bread will be moving the kitchen to 520 Falls Street (Kootenay Christian Fellowship’s new location) in the New Year. To help with the move and to celebrate the last 10 years, they are hosting the craft and bake sale.
If you would like a table, or information please call our church office at 1-888-761-3301 or visit kootenaychristianfellowship.com.