Community Programs
Community Outreach
"Out of the Cold"
Bag Lunch Program:
Nourishing More Than Food Hunger
In collaboration with volunteers from the community, we provide nutritious, well-balanced bag lunches for the homeless and others in need thru the London Coffee House on Hamilton Road (a program of the Canadian Mental Health Association). We have six teams of volunteers. Every Saturday morning, all year round, one of these teams, each with its own cook, prepares and delivers 50 lunches (consisting of a sandwich or wrap, fresh vegetables and fruit, juice, chips, and a sweet treat). The funds needed to keep this program going come entirely from private donations. Given the current cost of groceries, we need approximately $10,000 per year.
Good Samaritan Cupboard
The Good Samaritan Cupboard, established in the 1950s, supports community service organizations (registered charities) that have clients who are in need of clothing and household items. The Cupboard accepts donations from a variety of organizations and individuals. Client needs/wish lists (orders) have come from a number of different agencies including the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex, St. Leonard’s Community Services –London, the Middlesex London Heath Unit, London Cares, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, Refuge Ministries Canada, Atlhosa Family Healing Services, LUSO Community Services, London Health Sciences Centre, and ANOVA. Any items that we cannot use go to Mission Services or Goodwill.
Faithful and diligent volunteers (church members as well as members of the larger London community) meet at the church every Tuesday morning all year round to sort thru the donated items of clothing, bedding and household supplies and to fill the orders coming in from the various community service organizations. They mend and repair any gently-used items that still can be used.
If you would like to join this dedicated group of volunteers or have items to donate, please contact the church office:
519-434-9173 or
outofthecold@golden.net.
Knit Happens
Knit Happens continues over Zoom on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm. The crafters gather for shared enjoyment of the craft as well as to catch up with one another and to talk about the world around us. It could be just as easily called “Coffee and Conversation” except that most of the time folks are working on some project or another.
We celebrate the joy of new life and the ministry of knitters and crocheters in our communities of faith and beyond that provide little hats for Victoria Hospital’s Family Birthing Centre, the NICU and the PCCU. Thus far in 2026 we have donated over 60 hats! And we need to keep on knitting or crocheting! The Obstetrical Unit shared that they had over 6000 births in 2025.
Craft- Activists: The "red hat protest" involves knitting and wearing red pointed caps to protest U.S. immigration enforcement (ICE), inspired by Norwegian resistance against Nazi occupation during WWII. Initiated by a Minnesota yarn shop, the "Melt the Ice" campaign has raised over $600,000 for immigrant aid through pattern sales that cost $5.00. Thanks to these efforts red yarn is in short supply in many states! People around the world have been wearing red hats to show support for the Minnesota initiative. People have been wearing the hats in the protest and protect efforts as well as at the “No Kings” peaceful protest marches.
Many thanks to our community of crafters who continue to provide items for our outreach projects like hearts for the Pride Parade and dish clothes for the Good Samaritan Cupboard.
