Why Start A Community Dinner Instead Of Sandwich Run Or A Food Bank?

Why Did Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship Start A Community Dinner Instead Of Sandwich Run Or A Food Bank?

Most of us have heard the Chinese Proverb: 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.'

  Sandwich runs and to a lesser degree Food Banks offer scant opportunity to fellowship with or establish a meaningful dialogue with the homeless and marginalized. Both can make it awkward and embarrassing to those on the receiving end of a sandwich or food from a relative stranger. This can be a great stumbling block to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the 'volunteer' may appear condescending or patronizing to a homeless or marginalized person.  

  It is extremely difficult to share how faith in Jesus' sacrifice allows all to be equal in the eyes of God, especially if they find out that volunteers are paying a fee to give a sandwich to them! In a Community Dinner the homeless and marginalized are treated with dignity and respect, served a warm meal with music and fellowship. These conditions are perfect for meaningful dialogue and to establish friendships as a launching point to witness as equals at the same dinner table.

At BLCF Cafe, a short testimony and shared scripture are given as the dinner's second course, served between the main and dessert. Over time, our guests develop an appetite and appreciation for spiritual sustenance as much as the food served at the dinner.

  Through the power of the Holy Spirit many of our guests now help to serve others at the dinner, giving of themselves, showing that they have learned to become fishermen/women and embracing the Mission Statement BLCF Cafe Community Dinner: 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ - Matthew 25:40.

  A number of our guests have made a decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, which demonstrates how marvelous and great the work of the Lord is when we trust him to transform a simple function as serving and sharing a community dinner into a meeting of faith and worshiping of our Lord. Many returning guests feel that the community is their church meeting. Jesus knew what He was doing when he fed the multitude when He shared His message on the mount.

 

BLCF Cafe Info Brochure

BLCF Café Contact Info: Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship 1307 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON | Phone: 416-535-9578 | Email: blcfcafe@yahoo.ca | BLOG: blcfcafe.blogspot.com | Facebook: BLCF Cafe Facebook | Web Page: blcfchurch.ca

Volunteer To Help Feed The Homeless Right In The Heart Of Toronto

Bloor Lansdowne - BLCF Café Needs Volunteers To Help Feed The Homeless Right In The Heart of Toronto

Charity Village Listing Detail Link

   

BLCF Café needs volunteers, (individuals or groups), to help at the BLCF Cafe Community Dinner, a weekly dinner that feeds over 150 homeless and marginalized people, every Wednesday Evening. Relying on fundraisers and private donations, BLCF Cafe receives neither government grants nor corporate sponsorship. BLCF Cafe does rely on the dedication of volunteers to serve over 7,500 dinners, annually.

Volunteers serve each guest a wholesome dinner, with dignity and respect. If you are able, why not contribute a couple of hours of your time for a great cause? You will be glad you did, when you see the smiles on the faces of the people we serve.

For more information: Contact Sophie Mickelson at blcfcafe@yahoo.ca 416-535-9578 see us on facebook under BLCF Cafe: BLCF Cafe Facebook Link or our BLOG: BLCF Cafe BLOG. BLCF Cafe Community Dinner was established in January 2008 by, and is operated under, the auspices of, Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship - BLCF Church: BLCF Church Web Page

 

We would be happy to have you or your group help as a volunteer at the BLCF Cafe. Our volunteers help at various times of the day between 12PM and 8:30PM and help in all aspects of running the dinner, from food preparation, serving, setting up tables and chairs, and clean up.

To find out how you or your group may help the cause of feeding the homeless and marginalized right in the heart of Toronto, please contact us at BLCF on any Wednesday anytime after 12:00PM and before 5:00PM. Or call and leave a message.

Please use the side door, as we do not open the front doors until after 6PM and we need our volunteers to arrive by 5:30PM to be briefed before we serve dinner. Sophie Mickelson Director/Coordinator BLCF Cafe Community Dinner 416-535-9578

http://blcfcafe.blogspot.ca/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that the weather's turning cold, Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship is asking for donations of socks, gloves, scarves and toques for our homeless and marginalized guests in the heart of Toronto at the BLCF Cafe Community Dinner.

Donations may be brought to the BLCF Cafe Community Dinner, (Wednesdays between 6 and 8 PM). To arrange delivery at a different time, contact Sophie by email: blcfcafe@yahoo.ca or call BLCF at 416-535-9578.

Not a bread line, food bank or soup kitchen, BLCF Café has been serving wholesome dinners to upwards of 150 of Toronto's homeless every Wednesday evening since January 2008. BLCF Cafe/BLCF Church, 1307 Bloor Street West, one block west of Lansdowne Avenue.

Help bring some warmth to those in need.

 

Thumbs Up and Thanks to all the Volunteers at the BLCF Café in the heart of Toronto!

Thumbs Up and Thanks to all the Volunteers at the BLCF Café Community Dinner, in the heart of Toronto!

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped serve meals at the BLCF Café on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 2014, both happened to fall on a Wednesday. With the help of these and other dedicated volunteers, our Community Dinner has not missed serving meals to the homeless and marginalized since opening day in January 2008.



 

BLCF Café needs volunteers to help feed the homeless and marginalized in the heart of Toronto. If you or your group is interested in helping at the BLCF Café Community Dinner, contact Sophie at blcfcafe@yahoo.ca or 416-535-9578. Here is a link to our info brochure: BLCF Cafe Info Brochure