OSHaRE Building Owen Sound (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
OSHaRE in Owen Sound is seeing an increased demand for meals over the Christmas holiday.
Executive Director Colleen Trask-Seaman says they received great support from the community with donations to meet the need for people on Christmas day.
“Our numbers were just below 300 on Christmas day and we gave out two meals, so both the hot turkey lunch as well as a supper for people so they had something for that night as well. Same with on the 23rd for the OSHaRE Christmas, we were just under 300,” says Trask-Seaman.
While these numbers are up from last year, she says this was in line with what they were expecting.
“I am just super thankful that we are here and that we are able to meet that need. Our partners from the Salvation Army came over and they were here to help us and it is such a joy to be able to be open on Christmas and be able to make sure everybody in our community who needs a meal is able to get one,” says Trask-Seaman.
This past year, she says OSHaRE served 146,625 meals. This was compared to the 123,623 it did in 2022.
“We have definitely seen an increased need through the fall and we believe that need will continue into the winter. Our year numbers ended 37 per cent over last year,” says Trask-Seaman.
She thanks the community for its support.