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Meals & Emergency Shelter

Three times a day, 365 days a year, people in need know they can always come to Union Gospel Mission for a nourishing meal. And four times a year, UGM opens its doors even wider to serve thousands of meals at our Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter dinners, and our annual Summer BBQ.

At every UGM meal, guests are given a warm welcome. Many of them live on the streets, so when they come inside and are greeted with a kind smile, a handshake, and a home-cooked meal, it’s the first step in helping them regain their dignity.

Meals

As told by Bill Wong, Manager, New Westminster Drop-in Centre

UGM is always just one piece of a person’s journey. Every day we encounter people from all sorts of backgrounds, with many different reasons for needing our meals service.

One day I received a phone call from a man named Jim. I had seen Jim around New Westminster as he had once worked in the store adjacent to the Drop-in Centre. Jim had recently suffered a serious injury, was unable to work and was struggling to make ends meet. Because of his injury, he wasn’t mobile and was unable to come in for our meal service. He lived nearby, so our Outreach staff decided to bring him meals to help him through this difficult time.

“This simple act – bringing a hot meal and sharing fellowship with him – helped encourage Jim when life seemed bleak.”

This simple act – bringing a hot meal and sharing fellowship with him – helped encourage Jim when life seemed bleak. He told me that our visits and the practical help of bringing food reminded him that things would come together for him. Eventually, he recovered and secured some work in Alberta. We had helped Jim for a time and were happy to see that he regained his strength and could now support himself.

What a pleasant surprise, some months later, when Jim called to let us know that he was doing well and wanted to give back! He was working up north now, but wanted to come down over Christmas to provide and serve a roast beef dinner to every guest at the Drop-in Centre. This was truly a blessing.

For two Christmases in a row, even with the challenge of winter travel, Jim has made it back to our Drop-in Centre – where he had once sought help – to provide a delicious meal and offer a helping hand to the next man in need of some help along life’s journey.