Volunteers for the September 3 community supper at Living Hope Christian Centre in Maple Square Mall were, from left, Donna Abramovich, Lynne Davey, Trish Verburt, Lori Walker, Griffin Walker, Laurie Laur, Doris Kun, Hayley Laur, Susan Rutherford, Dianne Crosetta and Kristina Simons.

Hub Staff

The Living Hope community supper volunteers have almost concluded another success summer of feeding the community at the Maple Square Mall location with Monday, September 10 being the last supper of the season before spaghetti dinners commence throughout fall and winter months.

The spring and summer dinners, co-organized by Lori Walker and Dianne Crosetta, run for 18 weeks with food supplied through Pier Donnini, owner of the Queen’s Bar & Grill, and staff members; along with organic vegan soups created by Doris Kun and Jenn Maas from the Pea Pod.

Crosetta said that the program has welcomed approximately 50 volunteers throughout the 18 week period with each Monday night requiring at least eight volunteers. “Last year was our first pilot project of doing it and it was successful so now it runs year round,” said Crosetta.

It takes a team to pull off the weekly dinners. As Crosetta and Walker work out the volunteer logistics as well as the set-up and clean-ups, Donnini and his staff prepare the feasts to feed the crowd of 70 to 100; all the while maintaining their downtown restaurant.

“The Queen’s donates all of the food and time required by my staff to make,” said Donnini. “It’s a bit of a challenge with the busy summer months and I give credit to my staff and especially Kate Brewer, our Kitchen Manager, for understanding how important this is.”

Donnini added that their philosophy around being a successful business isn’t just about commercial success but also “how we contribute to our fellow citizens within our community.”

Crosetta said that meal is free for all who attend with a donation box available for those who wish to donate. “All that money goes back into [Living Hope] so they can be viable here.”

Staff members at the Queen’s will continue to support the community throughout the winter months creating free meals at Living Hope one Monday and Friday a month, and will provide food once a month for a youth program at Saugeen First Nation. Donnini was excited to announce that the Queen’s Bar & Grill will also once again take part in the community Christmas dinner. In 2016 the Queen’s prepared and donated 350 meals and hopes to exceed that amount this holiday season.

Crosetta is already looking into the future and has prepared a t-shirt that can be purchased at Metta Wave and the Pea Pod where 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to breakfast programs in local schools as well as contribute to free cooking classes taking place this fall at Living Hope. The classes will centre around preparing healthy options on a limited budget.

A sign-up sheet is hanging outside the Living Hope Christian Centre inside the Maple Square Mall with Crosetta adding that local dieticians as well as Kun and Maas from the Pea Pod will also contribute to the classes.

Dianne Crosetta has created a shirt that can be purchased through the Pea Pod or Metta Wave with 100 percent of the proceeds going to breakfast programs and local cooking classes at Living Hope.

Kate Brewer (left), Kitchen Manager and Pier Donnini, owner of Queen's Bar & Grill.