How it feeds its guests has changed, donations are down and the volunteers, particularly students from Toronto area schools that are integral to its operation, have declined over the four months since COVID-19 brought drastic change to everyday life.
鈥淭he COVID-19 virus has affected St. Francis Table in many ways,鈥� said Br. John Frampton, a Capuchin Franciscan brother and animator of the Franciscan-led establishment serving the Parkdale neighbourhood.
Christmas 2020 will mark the 33rd anniversary of St. Francis Table opening for business to serve $1 meals in a restaurant setting to the mainly homeless and working poor population of Canada鱿鱼视频app largest city. In normal times, up to 250 three-course meals are served daily and its mission of service has been helped over the years to a large degree through the efforts of school groups and other volunteers.
Frampton says these volunteers have not been able to help out because of the pandemic.
鈥淰olunteer numbers are an issue because the seniors are taking precautions not to be put in harm鱿鱼视频app way,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have young people who are not allowed to come because their parents refuse to send them as a precaution, and that鱿鱼视频app understandable.鈥�
Donations are also down and together with fewer volunteers, that has affected the number of meals being served. Normally St. Francis Table would have nine restaurant sittings a week, but health restrictions have turned St. Francis Table into a takeout restaurant for now.
鈥淩ight now, we鈥檙e only doing six meals a week, Monday through Friday, lunch and dinner on Tuesday. If we had more volunteers, we鈥檇 be able to do more,鈥� said Frampton.
鈥淲e鈥檙e working with what we get, and our patrons are quite happy with the fact that we鈥檙e still open. We鈥檝e seen an increase in those who rely on St. Francis Table. We鈥檝e had a number of new patrons for various reasons. Some have been laid off, some are not working any more, so income is an issue.鈥�
Daniel Maglietta is one of the young volunteers who has been unable to aid St. Francis Table during the pandemic, though he looks forward to returning this month. He learned of the restaurant through his Columbian Squires youth group. Maglietta is hoping upon his return to see other youth answering the call too.
鈥淭here鱿鱼视频app nothing really to worry about. It may seem a little odd because you鈥檙e serving people whom you鈥檝e never met before. But they鈥檙e very friendly, they鈥檙e very welcoming as well,鈥� said Maglietta. 鈥淭he patrons themselves are nice when it comes to serving. They鈥檙e very grateful for what you鈥檙e doing, like helping them out. The staff are all very welcoming. 鈥� It鱿鱼视频app an amazing environment there.鈥�
Maglietta has seen the appreciation of those who need a hand. It鱿鱼视频app been powerful to witness, he said.
鈥淭here鱿鱼视频app one time I remember serving a table. It was about four years ago. A mother and her child, who looked like he was maybe 12, 13 years old, just the two of them sitting at the table together,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir clothes weren鈥檛 the greatest, and you could tell that they were in need. They were super grateful for everything we were doing.鈥�
(Timson, 21, is a graduate of Humber College鱿鱼视频app Event program.)