Since September 2015, Cochrane's St. Andrew's United Church has successfully grown its Community Lunch program. 

What started off as a small group gathering has grown to upwards 85 people coming together on a Tuesday for soup and good conversation over the noon hour.

Reverend Ray Goodship, says with the program's successful track record, they have decided to reach out to the community to help spread awareness about the lunch program as well as receive support. "We have been reaching out to the business community as well as to service groups to see if people want to partner with us. Community lunch continues to grow, and so we felt that it is well enough established now that reaching out for partners would allow us to continue to provide the service in a more sustainable way, possibly expand it, and make it more of a 'true' community program."

There are a couple of ways the community can support the program, says Gooship, believing sponsorship will help immensely. Looking for businesses or organziations to help offset costs by paying one hundred dollars a week and giving the gift of time will be beneficial. "It costs us more than one hundred dollars but that is kind of the most rounded out baseline cost to feed 50 to 60 people. People can sponsor a specific week and we can help do some cross-promotion, but the other way they can get involved is by volunteering to come to cook and serve on a specific week. That is the really exciting part."

The idea of having businesses and organizations become more involved and participate in the continued success of the Community Lunch program warms Goodship's heart. "It really does become more of a community event where we all have some skin in the game, and it offers an opportunity to connect with other people that maybe you wouldn't normally cross paths with. When you have 80 people here for a meal you see everyone from business professionals, homeless individuals, parents with young children, seniors, as well as those living on a fixed income come together." 

Whether it is monetary sponsorship/volunteering to cook and serve, both will be gratefully appreciated. "If able, doing both together will definitely provide more engagement; you will get to see how far your one hundred dollars goes. Imagine feeding 80 people for that?! There is no expectation to donate; we could continue as is but we can't expand."

Volunteering for the lunch program usually commences at 10 in the morning, and enlists help from approximately four to eight people working collectively to chop vegetables, cook the soup, help set up, as well as serve. 

As a congregation having a 'downtown presence'  and creating a sense of community is extremely important, says Goodship. With the Community Lunch program being non-theological and inclusive to all, Goodship believes continuing and growing the program creates a truly united community. "We could possibly offer another day or the program at another time like a monthly supper or a weekly breakfast. It may be an interesting thing to explore as we look to create more friendships and connections within our community."

So far the Cochrane Lions Club, Two Pharmacy, Sunset Ridge Dental, Shell, and Miles of Smiles Learning Centre have contributed to the program monetarily and some are also gifting their time. If you are interested in monetary sponsorship, volunteering, or both, you are asked to email office.cochraneunited@gmail.com

The Community Lunch Program officially kicks off September 17th and runs until the end of May.