Mount Pearl Community Supper program 'maxing out' to serve its community

Maddie Ryan · CBC News

· Posted: Apr 19, 2025 10:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hr ago

If Scott Hillyer didn't person to work, helium says he'd dedicate much clip to helping his community. Instead, the Mount Pearl concern proprietor spends each 2nd Wednesday preparing escaped meals.

The Mount Pearl Community Supper programme runs similar immoderate different take-out: blistery nutrient is acceptable astatine the door, first come, archetypal served.

Hillyer and his squad of astir 12 volunteers from assorted Mount Pearl churches commencement cooking astatine 10 a.m., and usually service astir 300 meals by 6 p.m., helium said. 

"This week, we're doing astir 340," Hillyer told CBC News.

The paper changes each 2 weeks, ranging from chickenhearted cacciatore to turkey dinner. The programme is hosted astatine a antithetic religion each time, but updates are regularly posted connected societal media.

This each started 7 years ago— request was precise antithetic then, according to Hillyer. He'd spot astir 100 radical erstwhile helium started out, but it's tripled since then.

"Last week, we ran retired of meals successful little than 10 minutes of opening the door," said the Coffee Matters owner. "The request is huge."

Food banks and foundation organizations crossed Newfoundland and Labrador person reported accrued request successful caller years arsenic outgo of surviving rises.

Six months ago, successful October 2024, St. John's nutrient slope Bridges to Hope told CBC they had to chopped down connected hamper items owed to fund constrictions. 

Hillyer's non-profit does not person immoderate authorities funding, it relies connected donations from the assemblage arsenic good arsenic his business's resources. 

"We're maxing out," helium said, the programme is doing the astir they tin with what they have.

Volunteers aren't an issue, though.

"Anytime that I enactment a outcry retired for volunteers, we get ample," Hillyer said. "Every week I get emails asking, 'can I travel volunteer?'" 

Hillyer says the programme serves anyone successful need, nary substance what that request is. 

"Lots of times, determination could beryllium a elder that conscionable wants to popular by and accidental hullo to prime up a meal," helium said.

"The smallest happening tin beryllium the biggest happening to idiosyncratic who's successful need."

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