Together We Can Make a Difference.

Together We Can Make a Difference. This has been our tag line for a few years now. Why? Because it is true. Alone, we are limited in what we can actually accomplish, especially when it comes to something as large as poverty. when we work together however, good things can happen.

We have had a tough couple of weeks when it comes to food supplies. It just seems that companies are holding onto their stuff longer. However, yesterday we received a call from Welcome Hall Mission, offering us food supplies. We were there 2 hours later with a truck to pick up 3 pallets of food and 20 racks of bread. We appreciate their generosity and willingness to share. A few hours later, I received an email from a grocery store that helps us out when they can. Rocky said they had some food for us. He usually fills our van.

This is what I was talking about in the beginning. When we work together, more people get fed. Less food is wasted. It really makes a difference.

We are in need of a dock level delivery truck. We are exploring lease possibilities, but it would be amazing if one was donated. With a truck at our disposal, we have access to more food, which means more families get taken care of.

Together, We Can Make a Difference.

Peace,

K

A Great Week

This has been a good week. Actually a good couple of weeks. Yesterday we picked up about 4 tons of rubber gym flooring, donated by Monster Gym. Today, we pick up 126 cases of cold cuts, and Jack Astor's is giving us some dishes. As I type, there are 5 women from Westview Bible Church packaging Ramen noodles for our food bank.

There is something energizing about people's generosity. Whether they are donating goods, money or giving of their time, it is encouraging to those of us who do this every day. Thank you to all who give to this work.

Peace,

K

Good News

We received a phone call today from one of the families we serve. The lady called to say that she was very thankful for all the help we have given her family, but they no longer needed our food support. She found employment. She can now take care of her own family.

This is the kind of news that makes me smile. We are so happy for her. I can't imagine how good that phone call must have felt to her. This is why we do what we do.

We heard from 3 other families this week as we did our check-ins that they no longer need our services. It is good to see families getting on their feet. So far it has been a good week.

Peace,

K

The light at the end....

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel called renovation.
We have had our share of challenges. No doubt you heard about our fridge fiasco. Well, it was delivered, almost as promised. 5 months late but it is working. Thanks to the Gazette, the Suburban, and the many people who called Metro Caisse on our behalf. You helped motivate them to keep their promise.

There is still some work to do but we are almost there. The date for our Grand Opening is Saturday, May 7th, from 1pm - 5pm. We will have a BBQ and celebrate this new beginning. The adress is 9554 Gouin West in Pierrefonds. Please, join us in our celebration, and see first hand the imfamous fridge.

Peace,

K

We need your help

We have been waiting 5 months for Metro Caisse to deliver our walk-in fridge that is fully paid for. They have been promising that it will be delivered every week. It turns out they sold us something they did not have. It cost us about $4000, which is a ton of cash to a charity. Mr. Roy, the owner continually promises results he has no intention of producing. How can you help? I am asking EVERYONE to call Metro and inquire as to when our fridge will be delivered. something like, " I am calling on behalf of On Rock Ministries, when will you be delivering our fridge". We have turned down $1000s of dollars of food because we do not have this fridge. Please help us. The # is 514-273-2274. Call often. Thank you.

Food bank and Renovations

We are half way through our slowest months of the year. After Christmas, food supplies tend to dry up pretty quickly. January and February are a challenge. So far this year we have been doing alright. We have had a few slim weeks, but our Christmas collection has helped us through this period. We are now serving 130 families every week and the number is climbing as we increase our food supplies. We have 20 families on our waiting list.

We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as renovations go. Last weekend we had 11 people come in and paint the whole facility in 1 day. It was amazing. The office and kitchen are almost complete. We will begin building the snack bar this week. The floor on the center side is still a question, but I am sure we will figure that out soon.

Our Grand opening should be announced soon. Stay tuned.

Peace,

K

2010 in the rearview

2009 felt like it dragged on forever. 2010 seemed to blast by us before we knew it. 2010 was big year of change for us at On Rock. In the spring, we decided to put our building up for sale. It was becoming impossible to effectively operate our Ministries out of a small facility. We expected that it would take a long time to sell. We told our Real Estate Agent that we wanted $400,000 for it. He was not optimistic, telling me that the most we would get was $270,000, but to expect as low as $210,000. I insisted on $400,000 and he got me down to $395,000. He also reiterated that this would not be a quick sale.

A month later, Our Agent called me, to say a gentleman had driven by the building and wanted to buy it. He said the man wanted to deal immediately and would give us $360,000, but we had to be out in one week. He did not want an inspection, just a quick sale. The Agent was encouraging me to say yes, but I felt we could do better. I countered $380,000 and he had to give us two weeks to leave. This made our agent nervous, but he said he would try. 5 minutes later he called back to say the offer was accepted.

This amazing miracle meant we had to get out right away. Westview Bible Church was very generous in allowing us to run our food bank out of their gym every Monday. All our other programs went on hold and we moved everything into a borrowed 53 foot trailer. Challenger transport later donated a 53 ft trailer to us for permanent storage.

We spent about 8 months as a “homeless” Food Bank, and then found space in A Ma Baie that was large enough for us to grow into the community there. We wanted to move into this community because about 70% of our Food Bank clientele live there. We want to build relationships and offer more services to our friends there. .

November 1 we took occupancy under the bowling alley in A Ma Baie. We are in the process of equipping and renovating our new facility with hopes to open again in a month. The Food bank continues to operate in our new facility every Monday. We now serve 127 families a week. At present 35 of our families can now pick up there food every week, creating more contact between us and the community. It is a challenge, but we must continue to serve those in need.

We have new challenges ahead of us with this transition. We are renters once again and need to raise $3500 a month for rent. We have a fully equipped kitchen and a walk-in freezer, with a walk-in fridge to come. This is all second hand, but expensive none the less. We have spent about $20,000 on equipment. We are confident that people, churches and businesses will partner with us to meet this very real need in the West Island.

Thank you to all who support us and volunteer with us. We could not do the exciting things we are doing without you. Together, we can and do make a difference. We look forward to this new year and the opportunities to serve that it brings.


Peace,

K