Philip Lee, Julie Maston and Doug Milander welcome guests and provide grocery store vouchers.
Monday Outreach in December was held a bit earlier than usual, to provide pre-Christmas assistance to people in need before the holidays.
With generous help from St. Margaret's Anglican Church and New Maryland United Church, the Cathedral Outreach Committee helped 82 people in need in December. People who visited Memorial Hall on 16 December received a holiday-sized grocery card ($20); a treat bag with sandwich, juice, candy, snacks and fruit, and a non-perishable grocery item. They could also select from a variety of free used clothing and footwear, toiletries, toys for kids, and household goods.
The need in our community is great - and ever-increasing! The committee reports that the monthly average served in 2021 and 2022 was steady at 45; 52 in 2023; 66 in 2024. Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way this year!
Volunteers Rev. Kelly Burke and Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, Canon Rod Black, Susan Black, Sharon Miller and Janice Irvine-Meek provide food and other items to guests. Not pictured: the many tables of items that guests could choose from!
Learn more about Monday Outreach (typically held on the last Monday of each month) and our other local outreach initiatives.
You're welcome to use the form for giving online and receive a chartiable tax receipt by email. Or clearly mark "Giving Tuesday" on an offering envelope in your boxed set, one you can find in our pews or one of your own. You may also drop off a donation to the Cathedral Office during office hours, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday. A tax receipt will be sent to anyone who provides their contact information on the donation. We plan to continue the campaign until 15 December 2024 so there's still time to give.
Doug Milander hands out vouchers to guests attending the monthly Outreach program.
Each month, volunteers from the Cathedral's Outreach Committee gather inside Cathedral Memorial Hall to offer support and hospitality to our neighbours.
When people in need visit Cathedral Memorial Hall for an Outreach drop-in, they receive a $10 grocery store gift card or bus tickets and a goodie bag containing fresh fruit, baked goods, a drink, a sandwich, and treats. Guests can also choose from a selection of non-perishable grocery items. During the Outreach program, visitors are also invited to choose items from tables of seasonal clothing and household items donated by members of the congregation and community. They are thankful for the the shirts, jackets, footwear, hats, gloves, water bottles, towels, and personal care items such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Charlotte McKnight and Sharon Miller set-up a table of children's items.
The need in our community is great, and volunteers typically help between 50-70 guests at each gathering.
The program would not be possible without the assistance of many people from the Cathedral and other churches (St. Margaret's Anglican Church and New Maryland United Church). Volunteers help onsite or with advance preparation, and others assist with baking. Many others regularly donate items or funds. We sincerely appreciate everyone's assistance!
Guests receive sandwiches, baked goods, fruit and non-perishable food items.
Recent requests:
The Outreach Committee has had requests from people in need for a few specific items: snow pants for a 7-year-old boy; mittens and winter hats for children; bottles of shampoo and body wash; a table to hold a computer and printer. Except for the toiletries, those items do not need to be new. Thanks for your support!
Ann Deveau displays warm, pretty lap blankets handcrafted by Mary Coffill Deveau of Kentville, NS, for people in need in Fredericton
Upcoming Outreach days:
* Monday, November 25, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
* Monday, December 16, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Click here to learn more about outreach activities supported by the Cathedral congregation.
If you would like to help prepare food or volunteer to help onsite, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.
The Cathedral's monthly Outreach Program is an initiative that helps many people in our community.
On the last Monday of each month, people in need are invited to visit Cathedral Memorial Hall. They receive a $10 grocery store gift card or bus tickets and a goodie bag containing fresh fruit, baked goods, a drink, a sandwich, and treats. Guests can also choose from a selection of non-perishable grocery items. Several tables contain gently used clothing and footwear, toiletries and small housewares, which are available free of charge.
The need in our community is great, and volunteers typically help between 50-70 guests at each gathering. Similar events to help people in need will be held on the last Monday of the month throughout the summer.
The program would not be possible without the assistance of many volunteers from the Cathedral and other churches who help onsite or with advance preparation, and those who assist with baking, or donate items or funds. We sincerely appreciate your assistance!
UPDATE: a request fulfilled! Lately we have been asked for children's clothes, but until recently, we had a very limited supply. Thanks to donations from the cathedral family and the neighbourhood, volunteers filled a table with clothes, toys and art supplies for children at the 24 June outreach event. Parents among the 61 guests were grateful for these items.
Below: Cathedral volunteers Charlotte and Sharon display some of the donations received.
The Cathedral's monthly Monday Outreach Program is looking for specific items to help people in need in our community. Can you donate any of these?
* Hand warmers
* Toilet paper
* Canned meat (e.g. chicken, tuna, etc.)
* Winter boots
* Long Johns and sweatpants for men
Items can be dropped off at the Cathedral Office, 168 Church Street, during office hours, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.
On the last Monday of each month, Outreach volunteers help people in need who visit Cathedral Memorial Hall. They receive canned goods, sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, juice and other goodies, as well as a $10 gift card from a supermarket or city transit tickets. Guests may also choose items such as donated footwear and used clothing, toiletries, and towels. The need is great in our city, and the number of guests on January 29th increased to 70 individuals. The recipients, who range in age from toddlers to seniors, were grateful for the assistance. The next Monday Outreach event will take place on Monday, February 26.
Volunteer Mary Lou Cotter packs goodie bags for outreach guests
Thank you to volunteers who help onsite, or with preparation, baking, or donate items or funds. Speak with a member of the Outreach Committee or contact the Cathedral Office if you'd like to help.
Dean Geoffrey Hall and Cathedral Treasurer Jamie Yeamans were pleased to visit Montgomery Street School on 15 December to present a donation to help children in need at the school. They were welcomed by Principal David Burrell and several children, who were thankful for the $2000 donation toward the school lunch and winter clothing programs.
Members of the Cathedral congregation had contributed to a Giving Tuesday campaign to support the programs at the school, which has a number of children in need.
Montgomery Street Elementary School is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. It has a diverse student body. Approximately 250 children are enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 5, and the child to parent ratio is high. Its Home and School Association, a volunteer group of parents, guardians and staff representatives, regularly fundraises for school initiatives and to support students and families in need.
This is the third year that the Cathedral congregation has been involved. In 2021 and 2022, donated funds were directed towards the lunch program and ensuring that children in need have adequate winter clothing to safely enjoy Fredericton's winter climate. In 2021, funds also helped to create sensory rooms for children with developmental challenges.
We're grateful for the contributions to this community outreach project which will help to feed and clothe our neighbours in need.
Principal Burrell shared this message for our congregation:
I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation on behalf of the staff, students and families of Montgomery Street School to Christ Church Cathedral. Your generous contribution during your Giving Tuesday campaign will have a positive impact on our school community. We are fortunate to have community partners like Christ Church Cathedral who share in our ongoing pursuit of providing assistance for families in need, especially at this time of year. Thank you and happy new year.
The Rev'd Canon Rod Black, Doug Milander, Susan Black, Steve Hayward & Michele LeBlanc
On Monday, 18 December, the Cathedral Outreach Committee and volunteers from New Maryland United Church welcomed people in need to Memorial Hall for a pre-Christmas edition of Monday Outreach (usually held on the last Monday of each month).
64 guests received goodie bags, fruit, candy, socks and groceries. Guests also received a Christmas card with a $20 grocery store gift card. Toys and treats were given to people with children or grandchildren, and people could choose gently used clothing and household goods from a table of donated items.
The next such event will be held 29 January, 2024 with treat bags, used clothing and $10 gift cards. The committee deeply appreciates the congregation's support of these efforts, and the support of New Maryland United Church, who also gave a substantial financial donation toward the Outreach program.
Ann Deveau with Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, handing out special treats prepared by his church (longtime supporters of the Monday Outreach program).
The photos show some of the volunteers that were at the Hall helping to bring Christmas joy to our neighbours in need. We missed getting a photo of the crew in the Formation Room with the children's items (Rev. Kelly Burke from NMUC, Julie Maston & Joanne LeBlanc Haley).
Thank you to everyone who helped, onsite and in advance. The pre-Christmas assistance was sincerely appreciated by the guests.
We've raised almost $1500, so far, towards a local school lunch and winter clothing program through our Giving Tuesday initiative! Donations are still accepted online and through offering envelopes, with tax receipts provided. Thanks for your support!
Can we count on your support for our 'Giving Tuesday' campaign this year?
We have committed to continue our support for a food and winter clothing program for families in need at nearby Montgomery Street School, which has a number of children in need. Can you help fulfill our $2000 pledge? Donate to this project online using our Giving Tuesday donation page, or use an envelope marked "Giving Tuesday/school lunch program". Donations can be made anytime - not just on Tuesday! Tax receipts will be provided for contributions. Thank you for your generosity!
Montgomery Street Elementary School is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. It has a diverse student body. Approximately 250 children are enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 5, and the child to parent ratio is high. Its Home and School Association, a volunteer group of parents, guardians and staff representatives, regularly fundraises for school initiatives and to support students and families in need.
The Cathedral Bishop and Chapter approved a donation in 2021 to assist with the school lunch program, provide winter clothing to students in need, and assist in the creation of sensory rooms for children with developmental needs. In 2022, $2000 was raised through a Giving Tuesday campaign, to support the lunch and clothing program organized by volunteers. We hope to continue supporting those programs for children in need, and hope that you will feel called to help.
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement which takes place each year after the retail sale days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals rally for favourite causes, encouraging people to give to charitable causes to transform their communities and the world.
Carrie Culligan-Yeamans is a volunteer with the school, and a member of the Cathedral congregation. She shares this message:
"Montgomery Street School’s Home and School Association is extremely grateful for the support from the Cathedral Outreach Committee and Cathedral members over the last couple of years. The congregation continues to show how God’s love can change the world and how it starts with our community!
Our Home and School’s priority is to ensure that the students within our school have adequate winter clothing and food throughout the school day. We have been able to expand our hot-lunch program from two to four days a week, and to also provide milk four days a week to approximately a dozen children. Over the last couple of years, we have noticed the need grow throughout the school year as food and gasoline prices continue to climb. After the Cathedral’s donation last year, the school was also able to provide support a family of six who, unexpectedly, had a pipe burst in their apartment during a cold snap and had to seek temporary shelter in a motel. We were able to provide the family with some groceries during their stay and wouldn’t have been able to provide the support to the family if it wasn’t for the Cathedral’s generous donations.
On behalf of the students, parents and teachers at Montgomery Street School, I’d like to thank you for past donations and for our continued partnership."
The school is also accepting new or gently used winter clothing for children. Speak with Carrie or contact the Cathedral Office if you have items to donate, and we will ensure that they are delivered to the school.
Christ Church Cathedral is pleased to help children in need in our neighbourhood. We also engage in community support through regular Monday Outreach events, providing space for community social programming, and hosting and encouraging the performing arts.
All of the angels have been chosen. Thank you! Please drop off your gift by November 26th.
Fifty paper angels from Greener Village (the food bank) are waiting to be chosen from a little tree with white lights in the cathedral. Each requests a specific Christmas gift or stocking stuffers for a needy boy or girl in our city.
Please print your name and telephone number on the clipboard to indicate which angel you're adopting. Bring the unwrapped gift, with the paper angel firmly attached, to the church on Sunday, 26 November. Drop-off boxes will be set up near the angel tree.
If you can't bring your gift that Sunday, please take it to the Cathedral Office earlier or at the latest on Monday, 27 November between 9 a.m. and noon.
“Last year the food bank supplied nearly 3,000 gifts for needy children, and the total is expected to be much higher this year,” Outreach Committee treasurer Doug Milander said. “The cathedral family has been helping with this effort for more than 25 years, and the generosity is greatly appreciated.”
The committee must purchase any gifts that arrive late or not at all.
He added that another longstanding option at the cathedral is to write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. The cheque should be delivered to the office by 18 December. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchen.
Doug Milander in the early days of the pandemic, with a mask outdoors handing out gift cards and bus tickets.
It's a challenging time for the Cathedral's Outreach Committee. The number of people-in-need is ticking upwards, the weather is getting chillier, and COVID-19 is still lurking around many corners.
“Our average number of guests for Monday Morning Outreach has always been 40-ish in past years, but we're routinely seeing 50-to-60 people a month throughout 2023,” Outreach Committee treasurer Doug Milander said.
“We've noticed that more families with small kids are coming, more newcomers to Canada, even international students,” he said. “Rising inflation, high grocery prices, steep rents have been taking a toll on everybody. We hear a lot of sad stories.”
Volunteer Mary Lou Cotter packs goodie bags.
He added that people really appreciate what's offered with a smile: a $10 gift card for a supermarket, some non-perishable groceries, a goodie bag with homemade treats and fresh fruit, free used clothing and toiletries.
The committee is blessed with a good budget from the cathedral coffers, donations from some individuals as well as from New Maryland United Church, and a steady supply of fresh fruit from St. Margaret's Anglican Church.
A kind-hearted squad of cathedral members bakes cookies and muffins, or makes sandwiches, for the goodie bags. “People are so good, and we're more than grateful for the help,” Doug noted.
What was once normal for Monday Morning Outreach: a room buzzing with people chatting, live music, and plenty of food served buffet style.
The committee thought the pandemic would be truly over by now so that indoor, buffet-style gatherings could resume for the guests who enjoy the chance to get out of the cold and socialize.
“New mutations of the virus keep popping up, and hospitalizations are rising again lately,” Doug said. “We hesitate to revert to a sit-down event because we want to keep our volunteers and guests as safe as possible.”
Local blogger Charles LeBlanc with then-parish nurse Kathleen Snow who offered blood pressure and glucose testing for guests.
He notes that the number of volunteers has already dwindled. Some folks who participated regularly have died, fallen ill, left the cathedral during the pandemic and never returned, or found other priorities. The parish nurse was also a valued aspect of the Monday gatherings, and now there is none.
- by Ann Deveau
If you would like to help prepare food or volunteer to help on the last Monday of the month, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.
