St. Joe’s Supper Table helps bring the community together

Esther Kwan
Special to Spur Ottawa

Every evening, on weekdays, individuals from all walks of life start milling about the garden at St. Joe’s Supper Table. Some come from work. Others come with their children in tow. These individuals all come for one reason: to share a meal with others in the downtown community.

St. Joe’s Supper Table has grown significantly since its inception in the 1970s, but the ethos of its humble beginnings remains.

“The idea is that we see people who are hungry, so we offer hospitality and a welcoming space,” explains Mary Murphy, the director of St. Joe’s Supper Table.

The food-sharing ministry began when a group of volunteers started distributing sandwiches to individuals knocking on the church door, looking for food. As more individuals came, the volunteers recognized the need in the community and decided to provide home-cooked meals. In the 1990s, the ministry installed small kitchen and a dining area.

Volunteers help prepare meals for the less fortunate. Photo courtesy of St. Joe’s Supper Table.

Mike Collins, their cook manager, emphasizes their focus on people rather than just filling a need. “We try to not look at it as giving a meal,” he explains. “We look at it as sharing a meal.”

More than a soup kitchen

In spring 2014, St. Joe’s added a community garden to the project. Murphy explains that they wanted to avoid the sigma often associated with soup kitchens. She says you feel a weight standing in line at a food bank or waiting for meal at a soup kitchen.

One of St. Joe’s Supper Table’s guests explains that the garden transforms the way the community views those lining up. “Now that we have a garden, they’re going to look at that, instead of us.”

Besides transforming the atmosphere of the lineup, the garden also significantly impacted the organization, the individuals who came to eat, and the people in the neighbourhood.

“Now that we have a garden, they’re going to look at that, instead of us.” Photo courtesy of St. Joe’s Supper Table.

“People began volunteering to garden. It created a healing space, as guests gather around and wait for meals,” says Murphy. She adds that people became more aware of “what grows in [their] neighbourhood and also of people’s gifts. There is so much talent and many opportunities to see how people can share together.”

“The garden created a healing space as guests gather around and wait for meals. There is so much talent and many opportunities to see how people can share together.”

Innovating with food

One key has been listening to the needs of the community served, to provide relevant and inclusive meal options. For instance, St. Joe’s Supper Table provides Halal and vegetarian options to allow broader participation within the community.

They are also experimenting with a community kitchen. Despite the small participation so far (only 3 to 5 people generally attend the cooking sessions), the participants say it is fun, as they learn a few skills, eat meals together, and are able to take some food home.

God at work in the ministry

The Supper Table has also been an instrument for many to live out their faith. When people come to eat, they bring their good will, kindness, and many also bring food they have to share.

“You see all of these people helping each other,” Murphy says. “When someone [needs help] and you see guys let them go to the front and bringing them in, it’s the compassion of Christ in the faces of many.”