Community Meals

NEED: Many residents of Maple Ridge living on the street struggle to get even one healthy meal per day. The winter will escalate the need for intervention from our community. While there are community meals available, many have physical limitations, are uncomfortable leaving all of their possessions unprotected, or are not welcome at a given meal location. Housing programs and Salvation Army have alleviated the number of meals needed and lack of access; however, the need persists.

We’re currently serving two meals per month, each reaching a different population of our community. Unfortunately, this maxes our current volunteer and resource capacity. As this increases, we look forward to increasing our work.

OPEN DOOR DASH

This program is focused on providing meals where people are. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, we prepare a hot meal (and sandwiches to supplement) and travel to various locations in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, serving an average of 15-30 meals to those living on the streets.

 SATURDAY COMMUNITY MEALS

In partnership with Golden Ears United Church and additional members of our community, this program provides hot meals every Saturday evening for members of our community struggling with food insecurity. Open Door and our volunteers are providing the meals on every 2nd Saturday at Golden Ears, and we have volunteers involved every Saturday.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?!

We would love to have additional help in either of these programs, and there is room for various levels of commitments and involvement. Please see the contact info on this page to find out more! 

HOW WE BEGAN

ANITA PLACE COMMUNITY MEALS INITIATIVE

As Anita Place Tent City came into formation, Open Door decided to get involved. We spent time with those at Anita Place; we advocated for better response from our city; we protested; we organized with others in our community; and we provided meals. This work has carried on in the form of continued engagement through the meal programs above and will continue in various ways as we work to understand the best ways for us to support those on the margins in our community.