Fun at the Pumpkin Patch!

Yesterday the gang from the Enhanced Support Program in the shelter at 256 King Edward took some time out for a fall tradition.  They headed out to Miller's Farm to pick out some pumpkins to carve for Halloween!

Looks like they had a fantastic time!

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Beth Shalom

On Sunday a large and enthusiastic group of volunteers from Congregation Beth Shalom came to help out in the soup kitchen. We were extremely grateful for all their help as the kitchen was particularly busy with hungry clients trying to warm up from the cold. From the time the doors opened till everyone was served the group hustled around with constant smiles. A big thank you to everyone in the group.

 

Thanks for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is always a busy time at all of the Shepherds of Good Hope locations but especially the soup kitchen, when we work extra hard to ensure that no one spends the holiday alone and everyone has a wonderful meal to eat.

This year was no exception as over 450 people came for the Thanksgiving lunch. We were blessed both by not running out of Turkey but also because of all the amazing volunteers who gave up time with their families to come serve those who have no where else to go.

The mood was light, the entertainment was loud and a warm community atmosphere hung over the room. Thank you so much to all the volunteers and donors who helped to make it possible and a special thank you to City Councillor Mathieu Fleury  who took time away from campaigning to come bring holiday greetings to all the clients.

Pink Tigers Bring the Smiles

Pink Tiger is a new initiative that makes shopping fun by combining it with preforming acts of kindness within the community. Pink Tiger's motto is that companies have an obligation to give back to the community because the community is their customer base.

The residents at Hope Living were excited to learn that the Tiger Team was coming last Friday in order to help bring cheer to the Thanksgiving weekend.With gift bags for all the residents and mini makeovers for all the ladies everyone had an amazing time and there were smiles all around. The residents really felt like they were important parts of the community and those warm feelings will not soon be forgotten. 

A big thank you to the whole Tiger Team!

Gourmet Cupcakes!

Yesterday we picked up a truck full of food from Creative Kosher Catering. 

Included in the donation was several boxes full of gourmet cupcakes complete with beautiful little high heels on top.  We sent these to the Hope Outreach Women's Emergency Shelter and the women were absolutely delighted!

We are always so grateful to all of our donors!  It is such a nice feeling to give a special treat to those who have so little but need so much!

Meet Ken

Ken has been a volunteer with us for over 7 years!  We sat down with him to ask him about his experience serving the community.



At Shepherds of Good Hope, we value each and every volunteer.  I myself volunteer all around Ottawa on a regular basis and have been doing so since I was very young.  Giving back to the community is something very important to me and it sure is to all of our wonderful volunteers!

Brighter Tomorrows

I just got back from a press conference in our Community Room at 256 King Edward Ave.  Our building there has 7 innovative programs that serve the needs of our clients and on average, 270 individuals spend the night in the programs.

I am thrilled that Hydro Ottawa and Ottawa United Way have generously given us a grant from the Brighter Tomorrows Fund to replace our lights with LED light fixtures.  This grant was for more than $42,000 and we couldn't be more grateful. 

This will reduce our electricity bills in the building by 66% as well as increase safety, comfort and moods of all that stay in our programs.  This will most notably help clients who are prone to sensitivity issues such as mental illness and epilepsy.

Shepherds of Good Hope CEO, Deirdre Freiheit




Hydro Ottawa, Bryce Conrad



United Way, Carole Gagnon