St. Joe's Cafe puts on first holiday luncheon at Queens Ave. location

It's a new year and a new location for St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre. 

For years, the organization, also known as St. Joe's Café, has been providing meals for those in need out of a storefront on Dundas Street in London's Old East Village. 

Last year, St. Joes relocated to 602 Queen's Ave., the former Info Tech location now home to the Sisters of St. Joseph, London Cares and Regional HIV-AIDS Connect.

The new location boasts a better kitchen — and on Thursday St. Joseph's held its first holiday luncheon there, serving more than 200 turkey dinners to Londoners who otherwise wouldn't get to enjoy a holiday meal. 

Tracey Morton-Sader is the director of St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre. She said the new space is a big upgrade to help meet the growing need in London. 

"We have more room. It's just brighter. It's just more cheery. We've had a great year so far, so it's wonderful that we can celebrate with all of our friends," she said. 

St. Joe's provides a sit-down breakfast and lunch services six days a week for a nominal fee. Breakfast costs $0.50 and lunch sells for a $1. For $20 month, people in need can get breakfast and lunch at the café. 

The holiday luncheon meal is a special annual event — and Thursday was no different. A piano player belted out the Christmas classics, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch came out. Three city councillors showed up to help serve the meals including David Ferreira, Skylar Franke and Elizabeth Peloza. 

Need in the community is growing

Morton-Sader said higher housing and food costs are forcing more people to seek help when it comes to putting food on the table. For many who came to Thursday's meal, putting on a traditional holiday dinner themselves would be impossible. 

"The need is very strong," said Morton-Sader. "Food security where it is right now, we are trying so hard to get everybody to keep paying their rent so they can stay in their homes and they don't become homeless. It's our working poor, people that just need a little help." 

The turkey meals included vegetables and pumpkin pie. About 300 pounds of turkey was donated for the meal by Minco Wholesale and Supply, a London company that sells paper products and janitorial supplies.

Owner Nori Minicilli was on hand to help dish out the meals. 

"We were very impressed by St. Joe's Cafe and the Sisters of St. Joseph," he said. "They show up every day to assure that community members of London get meals and feel welcome even though many of them don't have a place to go. We wanted to be a part of that." 

Paul LaCourse was among the scores of people who enjoyed the turkey on Thursday. Facing tough times, he had to move in with a friend after losing his apartment. He's looking forward to moving into his own place again in the new year, but said London's staggering rental increases have created immense hardship for lower-income Londoners. 

"A lot of people are scraping to make ends meet," he said. "What they're asking for rent is just unreal. Just for a room it's like $700. Now bachelor suites are over $1,000."

He said the holiday meal makes a big difference in lifting his Christmas sprit.

"I get to meet up with friends, and I know some of the people who work here. It makes you feel good," he said.