(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Marguerite Riel Centre

Marguerite Riel Centre holds first free of charge Thursday lunch of year

Sep 26, 2019 | 3:30 PM

The Marguerite Riel Centre in Melfort held its first free Thursday lunch of the year on Sept. 26.

It’s the third year the centre is holding the event every second Thursday for those in need.

“We picked Thursday’s because every second Thursday, there’s the food bank,” Housing and Employment Coordinator Deneen Rosvold said. “And when there is none, we thought there was a need for maybe people in the community that are hungry.”

Rosvold said in the past they’ve had up to 40 people come to the lunches, from adults, to even families coming with children. She said the general public may not notice the need for it in Melfort.

“It’s surprising,” she said. “People don’t think there is homelessness or anything, but actually you’d be surprised how many couch surf. That’s a big one here in Melfort.”

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The lunches at the centre run from 11:45 a.m. to about 12:45 p.m. for anyone, but is directed at those who may be undergoing financial hardship, are homeless, or may be close to that point.

Rosvold added they would love to get the word out more for those who may be in need of the lunches. She said there is also ways for people who want to help. Bringing in garden vegetables for soups is one way Rosvold said people can help the centre provide the lunches. She added that in the past, Golden Grain Bakery has donated some bread as well.

Through the time they have done the lunches, Rosvold said she really noticed how many people really need it, and how grateful they are when they do receive it.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6