Free bread at Harvest Healing Centre

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

With the constantly rising food prices, buying groceries is becoming harder for more and more families. We may be seeing savings at the gas pumps, but the extra money in our pockets, and then some, is instead being spent on buying the basics at our local supermarkets.
A recent partnership between COBS Bread and the Harvest Healing Centre is hoping to ease some of that burden by offering free, fresh bread to anyone interested, while eliminating the amount of bread tossed away at the end of the day.
Thanks to the proposal, each and every weekend the Centre will be able to hand out dozens of loaves of bread to those in need in the area.
“We had an opportunity that was presented to us by COBS, and the conditions from COBS was that we be charitable and we give it away, and we have to consistently show up and take their bread that they’ve made that day, rather than throw it out,” said Pastor Elizabeth Karp.
Members of the Centre knew this would be an amazing opportunity to help the community and jumped on board.
“Bread can be very, expensive and some of this bread is $7 or $8 a loaf, it’s full of grains, it’s beautiful bread,” said Audrey Senft who works in the kitchen at the Centre.
There are also pastries, scones, and other goodies donated to the church. If there is enough community interest and support, COBS has told the Centre that they can come and pick up more bread for an additional night. Karp said they hope the interest does grow because it helps eliminate the amount being thrown out by the bakery, while giving back to the community.
“There’s no limit to the amount of bread you can take, if you want to take like a garbage bag full, then you do that,” said Senft.
“We want people to know that we’re not just a church, you don’t have to go to our church to come in, if we can do something to help then we’re going to want to do that.”
“A lot of people are taking in large bags and giving it to their neighbours too,” said Don Howe, a member of the church.
The bread is available for pick up every weekend from to 5 p.m. on Saturdays or on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to pick up bread – all you have to do is show up. If there’s enough interest from the community then a second night may be added.