Submitted by Kootenay Christian Fellowship
Our Daily Bread is at risk due to a significant drop in volunteers. COVID-19 is not going away, at least so it seems. Neither is Our Daily Bread (ODB). This is the commitment we are making to our community, and we are asking for help at this time.
ODB is Nelson’s hot lunch program for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and now also for those who are shut in, immobile, or self-isolating. Presently, folks can pick up a meal to go at the door of Our Daily Bread, from Monday to Friday, and receive a Subway voucher for Saturday during this time of uncertainty. We have expanded our program to bring meals to doors for those who can’t make it to our door. This has been a lifesaver (literally) for so very many as we have provided hundreds of meals during this time of pandemic lockdown.
Since Phase 3 has been enacted, schools have started up, people have gone back to work, and the news of increase of COVID cases contributed towards a substantial drop with our volunteer base. Volunteers are essential for ODB to operate. We cannot do it without them.
If you are concerned about safety, please be assured that we follow all the protocols, safety guidelines, and procedures outlined by the Provincial Health Authority. We are confident that the risk factor is less than shopping at the local grocery store.
Initially when the shutdown happened in March, we had a huge influx of volunteers and the needs of the Our Daily Bread were being met. However, now that students are back to school and many people are back to work, we are experiencing a severe lack of volunteers and maintaining the program is problematic.
ODB requires about eight-to-10 volunteers per day ranging from kitchen prep, kitchen clean up, serving meals and delivery drivers for the Meal to Doors program.
Most of these volunteer positions require as little as one hour a day to a maximum of four hours.
To inquire about volunteering or if you or someone you know is immobile and may be in need of receiving a meal, contact Anne-Marie at Our Daily Bread, 250-352-1722, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We are so grateful and say a BIG thank you to all those who have helped along the way! You are heroes in our world.