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Out of the Cold Dinners

Trinity has faithfully supported 'Out of the Cold Dinners' for over 20 years. It is a vibrant and well-supported Parish mission where women, men and youth of all ages come together to prepare and serve a Saturday evening dinner to less advantaged residents of the downtown area.

The weekly dinner takes place every Saturday,between October and April, at Southminster United Church, (located on Aylmer Av., in Old Ottawa South).  About 75-85 guests attend, with the need continuing to grow each year.


The first shift of volunteers begins at 2 PM. This group prepares the meal, or sets-up tables, dress tables and of course, socialize with our guests who start arriving after 3PM. Children as young as four quite enjoy the set-up process and volunteering at these dinners can count toward highschool volunteer hours. A second shift begins around 4 PM until 7 PM. Some of these volunteers welcome our guests with tea and coffee along with muffins donated by Trinity parishioners. The Parish also collects magazines of all sorts throughout the winter which are left for guests to read and take home. Meanwhile in the kitchen, volunteers prepare to serve guests their meal (salad, main and dessert), wash dishes, and clean up.


We have many seasoned volunteers who graciously serve for a full 2 hr shift. Others can only stay for a limited time and that is ok. We greatly appreciate each volunteer. We rely on about a total of 20 volunteers each dinner, depending on volunteer time commitments. That is why new volunteers are always welcome and encouraged to join us. Everyone is welcome to
volunteer whether you attend Trinity or not. We have a number of neighbourhood volunteers who do not attend Trinity who join with us because they see the need for this service and it is their way to give back to the community.


Did I mention that we have a lot of fun? Fun is one of the many gifts we receive when we give our time for others.

‘One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Whosoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.’

Proverbs 11:24-25

We are all thrilled to be back at work preparing meals for Out of The Cold in 2023. 
This April, along with a number if other local churches, Trinity helped out at the Carleton University Chaplaincy Pause Table during exams. Volunteers baked snacks and provided a huge variety of snacks and beverages to keep students charging ahead with their exams. It was a joy to chat with the 600! served. Entirely our pleasure!