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The Redeemer

The Common Table
(Drop-In Program)

About Us

The Common Table Drop-In Program is a grassroots community effort run out of The Church of the Redeemer that depends on volunteers and donors. Before COVID-19, we were open Monday to Friday and offered two healthy meals a day, daily supplies and access to health care services and housing referrals, as well as social and creative activities, psychotherapy, support groups and more. We look forward to getting back in the building when it is safe for our community to do so.

During COVID-19, we offer washroom and phone access, plus hand out meals at the side door from Monday to Wednesday and via the Outreach Cart on Thursdays and Fridays. We feed about 80 people per day, provide toiletries and supplies and help people apply for housing and other services.

We are grateful for our neighbourhood partners, donors, advocates and volunteers who make our program possible.

Watch our video to see us in action: Common Table – Community Update – YouTube

Donate today by clicking here

Volunteer Application Form - The Common Table

Please answer the questions down below to apply to be a volunteer at The Common Table.
Are you interested in helping on site? If so, please know that you must participate in an orientation, trial shifts, ongoing educational and training seminars, and be subject to a police check and COVID vaccine requirement. Also, you MUST be available during weekdays, as our program operates Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 1 PM. Generally volunteers help one day per week.(Required)
What on-site opportunities are you open to helping with? Check all that apply. If you are interested in helping off-site, skip this question.
Would you be willing to work on special computer-based projects at home? (you would need access to a computer, be comfortable doing research, creating documents, etc.)(Required)
Would you be willing to make sandwiches from home? (you would need a clean working area, proper refrigeration space, and the ability to purchase and donate the supplies needed for 20-30 sandwiches at a time)(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Schedule

From July 19-September 7, The Common Table will only be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

We will serve a light breakfast (porridge, yogurt), coffee and takeaway sandwiches at the Church from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. 

We will then do mobile outreach with our sandwich and coffee cart from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

We will resume our regular 5-days/week programming on Tuesday September 7.

Feel free to talk to our staff if you have any questions or concerns.

Volunteering/Support

If you would like to volunteer to help with this outreach to the most vulnerable among us or to donate non-perishable food items, please fill out this form. Financial support will be gratefully received through CanadaHelps.

In-kind Donations! We are in high need of the following items. Please note most things are MENS/UNISEX ONLY at the moment.

  • T-shirts Men’s Small , Medium, Large, and XL
  • Men’s pants size 30-32. 34-36 & 40
  • Hoodies & Sweaters ; Men’s Small, Medium, Large and XL
  • Jackets; Medium & Large Mens (we have lots of women jackets now)
  • Men’s winter boots size 8-14
  • Men’s Underwear; Medium & Large (new please!)
  • Women’s Underwear; Medium & Large (new please!)
  • Razors 
  • Sleeping bags

Muffin and Sandwich Makers! Muffins can be made off site (48 muffins in your own kitchen, and dropped off at the church on Wednesdays) and sandwiches will be made on site on Wednesdays in a safe and socially distanced atmosphere from 12pm-1pm (not during program hours).

Programming Volunteers! Interested in helping out during program hours? We need a few more hands in the kitchen and in the community. We adhere to strict COVID safety protocols and also ask that our volunteers are double vaccinated to protect our community.

Common Table Community Advocacy

Invitation to Advocacy

We at Church of the Redeemer are known for our social justice ministries along with our outreach to the marginalized, most visibly through the drop-in programme, the Common Table. Dedicated staff and volunteers have managed to continue feeding and caring for people experiencing homelessness throughout the pandemic, supported by your financial contributions

Besides this on-the-ground work, members of the Common Table staff advocate within the neighbourhood and beyond for the needs of the marginalized. Angie Hocking reaches out to owners and staff of nearby businesses, as well as being a strong voice in the Toronto Drop-in Network and speaking with politicians. Angie has said that she would welcome our support in this vital advocacy work.

Over the next weeks and months, as issues arise, background information and sample letters will be posted here and in eNews. You will be invited to use the letters as is, or to revise them and send them to the recipients (addresses will be provided).

Sending many letters from members of The Redeemer will amplify our voices and concerns and increase the possibility of action on the part of governments.

While Angie is on sabbatical, other Common Table staff and diocesan activists will keep us posted about urgent issues.

This is an action you can take from home during the pandemic. Please join in this initiative and help make a difference to the most vulnerable among us.

Watch for the first letter coming soon. Thank you for adding your voice to advocate for the needs of the Common Table community.

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