News & Events
We are blessed to be so well supported by the community that care so much for those we serve.
Shepherds of Good Hope & Metro
Shepherds of Good Hope Partners with Metro for Community Impact
On May 17, 2012, Shepherds of Good Hope presented Tony Marracco Manager of Metro McCarthy Supermarket with a Certificate of Appreciation for all of the many donations of food that Metro has provided five days a week to Shepherds of Good Hope Soup Kitchen over the past four years. Shepherds of Good Hope is also appreciative to Metro St. Laurent Walkley for their continued support.
Last year, Shepherds of Good Hope served approximately 700,000 meals from the Soup Kitchen.
“Their constant assistance has certainly helped our Soup Kitchen keep its head above water, said Anna Silverman, Executive Director of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, and it is much appreciated.”
“It is great to be able to donate to a worthy organization with a great cause, said Tony Marraco. Metro’s philosophy is always to help its community.”
For further information: contact Ann Silverman (613) 789-8210 # 247
Shepherds of Good Hope in Need of Volunteers
Shepherds of Good Hope is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization dedicated to serving the needs of most vulnerable in Ottawa. At this time of year, volunteers are desperately needed to help as cooks, gardeners, cleaners, administrative staff, recreational assistants, and frontline workers.
With the 1600 people who go through their doors every day volunteers are essential to the very important work being done in the programs and soup kitchen.
“Volunteers are the backbone of Shepherds of Good Hope and we would not be able to assist those who turn to us daily for food, clothing and shelter without them.” said Ann MacDonald, Volunteer Manager, Shepherds of Good Hope.
To see our volunteer section, please click here.
For further information: contact Ann MacDonald (613) 789-8210 # 228
Thank you Rideau Nursery!
We would like to thank Rideau Nursery for their generous donation of greenhouse space and seedlings! This will help with our efforts with the Hope Garden this year. The Hope Garden organically grows fruits and vegetables every year to provide the poor nutritious meals all summer long!
Shepherds Wins Community Impact Award
On February 23rd, 2012 Shepherds of Good Hope became the recipient of the Bootstrap Award for Community Impact. They were chosen for their use of social media on their fundraising campaigns and their commitment in the community.
Dr. Bruce M. Firestone, a local entrepreneur and founder of the Ottawa Senators, launched the first Bootstrap Awards event in 2004 with Exploriem.org, a registered not-for-profit organization, as he believed bootstrapping entrepreneurs deserved more recognition.
“I was honoured to accept this award on behalf of Shepherds of Good Hope for our use of social media and our work in the community. Social media has changed the way we reach out to our donors and followers,” commented Anna Silverman, Executive Director Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.
“Shepherds of Good Hope remains thankful to the community again and we are honoured to be recognized amongst such a prestigious group of winners, “said Sheila Burnett, Executive Director Shepherds of Good Hope.
Thank you!
Thanks so much to Theresa Cashman and the Ottawa District Old Time Fiddlers.
They donated $500 and many boxes of food to Shepherds of Good Hope.
Theresa Cashman & Rob Eady
Hoteliers for Heart – Giving Back to the Community
The Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen bustled with activity just before today when the Hoteliers made their annual visit to drop off the nearly twelve tons of food with an estimated value of $15,000.
Every Valentine’s Day for eleven years representatives from the Hoteliers come to the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen to drop off this enormous amount of food and serve lunch to the many hungry men and women coming through their doors.
“We are so grateful to have this wonderful relationship with the Hoteliers in this city. They certainly care about the underprivileged and the homeless and it shows.” said Paul Soucie, Executive Director of Shepherds of Good Hope.
“I am very happy with the turnout of food and support this year. It was great that we could leverage our money with our generous suppliers to double the amount of food we could donate.” said Peter Wilson, one of the Hoteliers and the general manager of Holiday Inn and Suites.
For further information: contact Paul Soucie (613) 789-8210 # 235
Shepherds of Good Hope celebrates 29th Anniversary
Councillor Fleury
Shepherds of Good Hope is 29 years old today. Councillor Fleury, together with Executive Directors Paul Soucie and Sheila Burnett helped with the celebration by serving lunch topped off with anniversary cake to the over 300 hungry people lined up at the soup kitchen at 233 Murray Street. Councillor Fleury presented Shepherds of Good Hope with a certificate of appreciation from the City of Ottawa signed by Mayor Jim Watson and himself.
“Shepherds of Good Hope is an extremely helpful member of our community. It has a great team of volunteers giving countless hours over the 29 years of service to our community. Community members helping community members – thank you.” said Councillor Fleury.
Paul Soucie commented, “We are strengthened by the support we’ve received from our community. When we first opened in 1983, Shepherds served 23 meals and today we are serving approximately 700,000 meals every year. Today was a great day to celebrate our role in providing the necessities of life to the most vulnerable in our community.”
For further information: contact Paul Soucie (613) 789-8210 # 235
It’s our 29th Anniversary!
Councillor Fleury along with Sheila Burnett and Paul Soucie will serve lunch and cake in our soup kitchen at 11:30am.
“Who would have believed it,” remarked Sheila Burnett, one of the first volunteers 29 years ago and now Executive Director of Shepherds of Good Hope.
Shepherds of Good Hope opened its doors on February 7, 1983 in the basement of St. Brigid’s Church. The first meal fed 23 people. Today it serves a staggering 700,000 meals a year!
Each day over 1500 people go through our doors including the 300 people who live in the supportive living programs. In 2011, there were 54,016 male bed stays and 26,902 female bed stays. From the basement of a Lowertown church to 7 buildings across the city, Shepherds of Good Hope has expanded to meet the needs of the ever growing homeless population.
Shepherds of Good Hope is so much more than a soup kitchen. Over 21,000 families received groceries from the grocery program in 2011. The Christmas Hamper program helped over 900 families with food for their Christmas Meal. Local residents can find clean, warm clothing from its clothing program. Every night, the Evening Drop-in provides a safe, friendly environment where all are welcome.
As Sheila Burnett states, “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community. We could not have done any of this without them.”
For further information: contact Paul Soucie (613) 789-8210 # 235
Homeless Shelters Prepare for Cold Weather
Many of the people that we serve will not understand the need to dress warmly on harsh, cold days like this in Ottawa. During days like this we see cases of Hypothermia, Frostbite, Cold Weather Injury, and an increase in respiratory issues.
What is Shepherds of Good Hope doing to assist?
Staff has been advised to communicate cold weather warnings and offer continual reminders to cover up extremities as individuals enter and exit our property. Staff work closely with clients suffering from mental health issues who may not know to dress appropriately for the weather during these very cold days.
All Programs are equipped with “winter bins” containing hats, mitts, scarves, and long underwear.
Clients without adequate outerwear are provided with winter jackets and boots from our clothing program.
Staff are more flexible with our hours. This involves our soup kitchen extending its hours and common areas in programs being opened to the homeless on frigid days.
Postings in programs and informing residents of Severe Weather Warnings (provided through the City of Ottawa)
We would like to make the community aware of the contact number 613 580-2626 if someone is spotted on the street and in need of shelter this winter. (City of Ottawa)
Spirits are often low in shelters during the winter months as low temperatures impact mood and overall comfort on the street. Inside of the shelters we see ways in which this Holiday Season may adversely influence the mood of those inside affected by memories of better times of a Christmas spent with their families.
People can help by dropping off hats, scarfs, gloves, mitts, socks, underwear, and winter boots on location at 233 Murray St. Ottawa ON.