On December 20th, forty-three people attended the pre-Christmas event for the Monday Morning Outreach program at Christ Church Cathedral. Throughout the pandemic, guests have been appreciative of the continued support, and look forward to the time when they can again gather inside the Hall with music, conversation, and a buffet table.

Reverend Kelly Burke from New Maryland United Church attended, bringing treat bags lovingly provided by her congregation to bring some additional holiday cheer to outreach guests. Those contributions were added to a larger bag containing homemade muffins, cookies, hot chocolate, candy, cheese, yogurt and water supplied by the Cathedral congregation, two kinds of fresh fruit donated by St. Margaret's Anglican Church, a pair of warm socks, a signed Christmas card, and a $20 gift card for a supermarket or pharmacy.

A table of toys and activities for children was also set up, which brought smiles to our youngest guests.

Leftover food and toys were taken to the local transition house, where employees were grateful to receive the donations.

Socks, hats, scarves, gloves and jackets have been recently donated for Outreach guests, who may choose items they need each time they visit. Further donations are not needed at this time, as available storage space is full. The Outreach Committee thanks the Cathedral family for its generosity, and will request items when they are needed.

The next outreach event will be held on Monday, January 31st, 2022 -- outdoors, as has been necessary throughout the pandemic.

A card written by an outreach guest in 2021.