The Yonge Street Mission Provides New Life and Hope through Thousands of Easter Meals

TORONTO, April 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Leading up to Easter Sunday, The Yonge Street Mission will serve thousands of Easter meals to Downtown Toronto's hungry and homeless.   

"I came for a hot meal when I was broke and alone," admitted one man seeking employment. "I found so much support here."  

Easter can be a sad and isolating time, but it doesn't have to be. While many people enjoy the time off with family; most of The Yonge Street Mission's low-income community has limited resources, nowhere to go, or no one to spend the time with.

"We see an increase in program attendance. Easter brings people together to connect and build community," says Janice Rainey, Director of Relief and Support. "People are inspired to find new opportunities to overcome obstacles. It's a new start."

Dedicated volunteers will be serving Easter meals this week at 270 Gerrard Street East (Parliament and Gerrard) and spending time with our community in the following banquets:

• Lively Seniors' Lunch Tuesday, April 15^th, 12:00pm-1:30pm
• New Hope Fellowship Dinner (adults) Thursday, April 17^th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
• Church at the Mission's Dinner (all-ages) Sunday, April 20^th, 4:00pm-5:30pm

This includes a fundraising campaign where the public can provide a gift for just $3.11 a meal, or feed a table of 10 for $31.10 by visiting www.ysm.ca.

How can you help? Only through generous donations can we help and bring hope.

To give, learn, act: The easiest and fastest way to make a financial donation or volunteer is to visit www.ysm.ca.  You can mail cheques to: Yonge Street Mission, 306 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2G7 or call directly Monday to Friday from 9 am – 5pm at 416-929-9614 or 1-800-416-5111

About: Since 1896, The Yonge Street Mission's anticipated Easter meal symbolizes a new beginning for hurting people. For street-involved and homeless youth, the meal means taking steps towards new lives as they're introduced to other programs and services. For seniors, coming out of small, crowded, isolated apartments and reconnecting with friends. Likewise, for new immigrants, the meal can be a chance to build new friendships altogether.

SOURCE: Yonge Street Mission

Helen Choi, Marketing Coordinator at 416-320-6803 or [email protected]