Food Program
Food Security was identified during our 2018 Needs Assessment as an area of great concern within our community. G.A.P. has committed to supporting the community and tackling the issue of food security head-on. The goal was to further enhance the offerings that were available to those in need.
Weekly Meal Pick-Up Program • NEW TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Runs every TUESDAY at the Trinity United Church from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. ALL ARE WELCOME! Please be mindful of the Covid-19 safety protocols that are in place. Masks are required to enter the Trinity United Church, as is self-screening and using our sign-in sheet. We also ask that you please respect safe, social distancing.
Weekly Food Delivery Program
Runs every Thursday. ALL ARE WELCOME! To sign-up for the Weekly Food Delivery program, please call 705-646-3733 or send an e-mail to dinner.reg.gap@gmail.com. The cut-off to be added to a given food delivery is the Friday of the week prior.
G.A.P. Garden Program
Learn more about our G.A.P. Garden Program here. ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!
Weekly Meal Pick-Up Program • NEW TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Runs every TUESDAY at the Trinity United Church from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. ALL ARE WELCOME! Please be mindful of the Covid-19 safety protocols that are in place. Masks are required to enter the Trinity United Church, as is self-screening and using our sign-in sheet. We also ask that you please respect safe, social distancing.
Weekly Food Delivery Program
Runs every Thursday. ALL ARE WELCOME! To sign-up for the Weekly Food Delivery program, please call 705-646-3733 or send an e-mail to dinner.reg.gap@gmail.com. The cut-off to be added to a given food delivery is the Friday of the week prior.
G.A.P. Garden Program
Learn more about our G.A.P. Garden Program here. ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!
Here are some key updates on the Food Program so far...
• The Gravenhurst Against Poverty Food Program was created directly in response to the 2018 Needs Assessment. Respondents indicated that there was a need for fresh produce and protein.
• G.A.P. began a fresh produce and protein giveaway in collaboration with the Thursday Night Supper Club that has been running for 11 years at the Trinity United Church. No questions were asked and all were welcome in an effort to maintain dignity for those in need. Robbie Irvine from The Oar donated milk and eggs every week to add to the giveaway.
• G.A.P. launched a Tuesday Community Lunch (30 people) to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy some conversation along with a bowl of soup and a sandwich. These conversations provided opportunities to become aware of other needs and to share about other available resources within the community. Homemade knitted items from the Gravenhurst Public Library Mitten Tree were shared with whoever could use them.
• In September 2019, Val Ceschia, who was the organizer of the Supper Club, asked G.A.P. to assume responsibility for it, which G.A.P. graciously accepted. It grew to 60-70 participants each week and the Thursday suppers continued to provide a vital link between the community and G.A.P.
• Opportunities to volunteer for the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser and with the G.A.P. Gardens were taken up by several neighbours with lived experience. Just prior to Covid-19, a plan had been initiated to invite volunteer mental health counsellors to be available to speak to anyone who was looking for that kind of support.
• March 19th, 2020: G.A.P. served the last in-house meal. Just one week later, on March 26th, G.A.P. was able to adapt the Food Program and offer a Take Out meal with fresh produce and protein that was given out at the Trinity United Church parking lot. While physical distancing was enforced, along with hand sanitizer that was made available, the crowds were a concern and G.A.P. knew another evolution of the program was needed to not only serve those who were showing up, but those who weren't making the trip in because of the concerns of Covid-19. Names and phone numbers were collected from program participants and a delivery program was launched.
• The Gravenhurst Rotary Club donated $20,000 for Grocery Cards.
• The District of Muskoka's Care For a Neighbour Program donated $10,000.
• Community Care Access Canada sent $50,000 in Grocery Cards.
• Caretagion, a local initiative, reached out to assist with the food delivery.
• Meals, which were originally purchased from, but later generously donated by, the Red Cross to ensure our volunteer cooks could remain safe at home.
• Several local restaurants stepped up to support the cause through meal donations. This included: The Oar, Well Fed, Relish and The Butcher's Daughters.
• Numbers for the Food Program continued to rise. 50... 100... 200... and currently the program provides food to 650+ members of our community each week!
• G.A.P. partnered with Amy Snow and the Feed It Forward program; with The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in Huntsville; Eat Local Muskoka, Fields of Green.
• G.A.P. partnered with Sobey's, Giant Tiger and The Independent Grocer for Food Rescue.
• November 30th, 2020: G.A.P. launches a second food day!
• The Gravenhurst Against Poverty Food Program was created directly in response to the 2018 Needs Assessment. Respondents indicated that there was a need for fresh produce and protein.
• G.A.P. began a fresh produce and protein giveaway in collaboration with the Thursday Night Supper Club that has been running for 11 years at the Trinity United Church. No questions were asked and all were welcome in an effort to maintain dignity for those in need. Robbie Irvine from The Oar donated milk and eggs every week to add to the giveaway.
• G.A.P. launched a Tuesday Community Lunch (30 people) to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy some conversation along with a bowl of soup and a sandwich. These conversations provided opportunities to become aware of other needs and to share about other available resources within the community. Homemade knitted items from the Gravenhurst Public Library Mitten Tree were shared with whoever could use them.
• In September 2019, Val Ceschia, who was the organizer of the Supper Club, asked G.A.P. to assume responsibility for it, which G.A.P. graciously accepted. It grew to 60-70 participants each week and the Thursday suppers continued to provide a vital link between the community and G.A.P.
• Opportunities to volunteer for the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser and with the G.A.P. Gardens were taken up by several neighbours with lived experience. Just prior to Covid-19, a plan had been initiated to invite volunteer mental health counsellors to be available to speak to anyone who was looking for that kind of support.
• March 19th, 2020: G.A.P. served the last in-house meal. Just one week later, on March 26th, G.A.P. was able to adapt the Food Program and offer a Take Out meal with fresh produce and protein that was given out at the Trinity United Church parking lot. While physical distancing was enforced, along with hand sanitizer that was made available, the crowds were a concern and G.A.P. knew another evolution of the program was needed to not only serve those who were showing up, but those who weren't making the trip in because of the concerns of Covid-19. Names and phone numbers were collected from program participants and a delivery program was launched.
• The Gravenhurst Rotary Club donated $20,000 for Grocery Cards.
• The District of Muskoka's Care For a Neighbour Program donated $10,000.
• Community Care Access Canada sent $50,000 in Grocery Cards.
• Caretagion, a local initiative, reached out to assist with the food delivery.
• Meals, which were originally purchased from, but later generously donated by, the Red Cross to ensure our volunteer cooks could remain safe at home.
• Several local restaurants stepped up to support the cause through meal donations. This included: The Oar, Well Fed, Relish and The Butcher's Daughters.
• Numbers for the Food Program continued to rise. 50... 100... 200... and currently the program provides food to 650+ members of our community each week!
• G.A.P. partnered with Amy Snow and the Feed It Forward program; with The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in Huntsville; Eat Local Muskoka, Fields of Green.
• G.A.P. partnered with Sobey's, Giant Tiger and The Independent Grocer for Food Rescue.
• November 30th, 2020: G.A.P. launches a second food day!