Saturday Meal Program receives another community boost

By James Tubb on June 18, 2022.

KENDALL KING

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
kking@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat’s Saturday Meal Program continues to garner community support, five years after establishment.

The non-profit program provides hot meals weekly to Hatters in need. Held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, the program is operated by parishioners from St. Barnabas, Holy Family Parish, Heights Baptist Church and Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Program founder and co-ordinator Shirley Greenfield says anywhere from 50-80 individuals access the program each week.

“About a year ago, the numbers really started to climb,” Greenfield said. “We noticed a quite a sharp increase last summer.”

Greenfield believes the increase in attendees correlates to rising cost of food and other living expenses. 

While Greenfield is glad to support Hatters affected by such costs, she admits program organizers are feeling a financial pinch as well; which is why Greenfield was elated this week, as representatives from Holy Family Parish presented a $2,000 to Greenfield for the program.

“The donation will do a lot,” Greenfield said. “It’ll help us provide food, plates, disposable cutlery and drinks.”

Greenfield thanks Holy Family Parish for continued support, as well as other community supports and program volunteers. 

“Saturday Meal Program is important because, not only are we working for the people of the community, we’re working with churches, forming groups and working together,” she said. “We all have a common goal, and it’s to serve.”

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