Blue Door Soup Kitchen serving more people than ever
The Blue Door Soup Kitchen in Sudbury has been in operation for 40 years.
Officials said volunteers are the backbone of the operation. Sister Nicole Berube has been volunteering here for 18 years.
"What I get out of it is that I say to myself that God made us all equal but society doesn't make us all equal," said Berube.
"Some of them have mental health issues, some of them have had bad luck and we don't ask any questions."
Officials said numbers have doubled since March, serving 80 people for lunch to now serving 160 each day.
"It's a lot of new faces since 2019 and different age groups are all coming in, so our numbers are increased definitely," said manager Bill Hickey.
Clients were surprised by the hot chicken meal for lunch, along with coffee and dessert made possible by donations from the local food bank and Tim Hortons. Some said inflation has many dealing with food insecurity.
"A lot of people are going to food banks and these types of institutions that help people -- especially (who) are on a monthly stapled amount of money that they get like disability or Ontario Works. So this really helps people that need it," said Brian Gates, a client at the soup kitchen.
Another man said the soup kitchen is a place to socialize.
"It helps me because people here are into concepts and we believe that enjoying a great meal is good way to enjoy great company," said Donovan Burke.
Officials said during hot weather, donations of bottled water, pre-packaged desserts and fruit are needed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.