Our Outreach Projects

Canadian Foodgrains Bank – Caradoc Growing Project

For many years, Calvary United Church has been participating in the fundraising efforts of CFGB. The goal of this organization is to eliminate world hunger by providing essential food items to stave off starvation, and to teach our neighbours in developing countries how to maximize crop yields in order to feed themselves. Calvary is an active participant in the Caradoc Growing Project, in conjunction with several other area churches, and the ongoing generosity of two local farmers. The annual vegetarian Harvest Dinner, currently on hiatus, has brought the congregation and others together to also provide financial support to the CFGB.

Community Breakfasts

Calvary United Church hosts a breakfast at the church on the third Saturday of each month for anyone in need of a hot nutritious meal. The breakfasts are available from 9 am to 10:30 am. From March 2020 until April 2022, we had to switch to offering just a takeout meal because of COVID-19 restrictions but currently we offer both eat in and take out options. The Middlesex London Health Unit recognizes these meals are an essential service and helps to ensure that the procedures used meet COVID-19 regulations. 

At present, each breakfast consists of a hot egg and cheese sandwich, a few pieces of fruit, muffins or granola bars, chocolate milk and juice. Coffee and tea are also available.

Calvary has hosted these meals on the third Saturday of each month since November 1997. Calvary joined with four other Old South churches at that time to start a weekly Community Breakfast Program. Each church chose a different Saturday of the month. Some of the churches stopped serving breakfasts when COVID-19 began. Currently St. Francis-St. Martin Catholic Church hosts a breakfast on the fourth Sat. of each month and Elmwood Presbyterian Church has a breakfast when there is a fifth Sat. in a month.

From the beginning in 1997 until March 2020, four teams of 10 to 14 volunteers each worked three months of the year to provide a sit-down breakfast in Calvary’s Meeting Room (by the Garfield St. ramp entrance). When we switched to take-out meals in March 2020 because of COVID-19, we only needed work crews of 4-5 people to prepare and serve the meals described above. Now that we have added back the eat-in option, work crews of 6-7 people are needed. If we get back to a fuller breakfast meal or higher attendance, we will need additional help. We are re-establishing four teams. Anyone interested in helping on a team or as a spare volunteer can contact the church office.

The Calvary breakfasts are primarily funded through the Calvary United Church Benevolent Fund but we also have received financial donations from the Old South Community Organization (OSCO), London Lawyers Feed the Hungry (LLFH), Calvary’s United Church Women (UCW) and some individual contributors.

Outreach Projects

Each year the congregation selects special outreach projects during the seasons of Advent and Lent. The year’s Advent Project raised $2,965 for YOU (Youth Opportunities Unlimited).

Throughout the year, members assist the Southdale and Limberlost sites of the LCC with monthly hot meals (pre-COVID) or take-away lunches (during COVID) as well as sponsoring attendance at summer camps.

During the Christmas season, we have a Mitten Tree decorated with mittens, hats, scarves and socks donated by the congregation. These items are then delivered to LCC for distribution to folks at the Southdale and Limberlost sites.

Annual London Interfaith Community Tree Planting

Members from Calvary United Church participated in the tree planting on September 26, 2021.