Services
Integrated, holistic, and with an emphasis on dignity and respect, our services help not only those in need but the community as a whole. Operation Sharing promotes empowerment through responding proactively to the needs of the community.The Meeting Place Drop in Centres
Friends are invited to come by for a cup of coffee, snacks, games, a light lunch and a time to talk/share. The goal of The Meeting Place is to create a safe environment of trust, where we can come along side those in need and develop a relationship. There are so many complicated issues surrounding many of our friends lives that it takes a great deal of time to uncover the issues and root causes of certain problems. We also help our patrons locate community resources to suit their needs. Food cards other services are also available through The Meeting Place.
Foods for Friends
Families and individuals in need of emergency food assistance can receive a specially designed food card in pre-determined denominations. As an alternative or supplement to the food bank, those in need may do their grocery shopping at any of the participating grocery stores in Woodstock and Ingersoll with freedom, dignity and choice. Funding for this program comes mainly through the donation of quarters by the generous public at the grocery stores, and through public donations. This method of providing food assistance is vital for those with special diets or serious health issues, giving them access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. The food cards give people the option of choosing their own food, according to their family needs. The Meeting Place Coordinators oversee the food card distribution.
Extended Family Project
POVERTY is often defined as a lack of material resources, which is
why so many poverty alleviation efforts focus on giving material
resources to the poor. Although this type of giving, known as
“relief,” can often help to get a family or individual through a
time of crisis, it does very little to alleviate the problem of
poverty and can often do more harm than good.
Financial resources are important, but the ability of an individual
or family to get out of poverty is more dependent upon their
emotional, social, and physical health; and includes a solid support
system, and access to community resources. The goal of poverty
alleviation, involves ongoing change that moves all people involved
– both the helper and the helped, and aids in restoring all those
involved to be the stewards that God created them to be.
Operation Sharing’s EXTENDED FAMILY PROJECT is a “walk the
walk” approach to poverty. Each EXTENDED FAMILY is comprised of an
individual or family working to get out of poverty, and a team of 2-3
volunteers that support the participants as they take the necessary
steps. The teams are focused on interpersonal relationships and
moving toward the realization of worthwhile goals, while the strengths
and interests of all members of the team are encouraged and developed.
In choosing to focus intensely over time to a few people rather than
superficially and quickly to many people, opportunities are created
for a more HOLISTIC, PROACTIVE, AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO POVERTY
ALLEVIATION. The focus is on bringing people into relationship with
each other, and activities are designed to break down the barriers
caused by labelling through _OPPORTUNITIES_ for all members of the
community to participate in the development of the community. People
are viewed as complete people, and are more than the sum of their
parts. Individuals are _identified by their strengths and gifts_
versus being defined by their experience of poverty or wealth. From
this perspective, we take action in developing community believing
that there are local solutions to solvable problems. We address
immediate issues while envisioning true change in our community.
INTERACTIVE TRAINING, ONGOING SUPPORT, AND REFERENCE MATERIALS
ARE
PROVIDED.
FOR INFORMATION ON EXTENDED FAMILIES PROJECT OR HOW YOU CAN GET
INVOLVED AS A VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CONTACT:
CHRISTINA CRAWFORD
OPERATION SHARING
1 CHARLES ST. E. INGERSOLL
(519) 425-2227
Soup Kitchen
Lunch guests enjoy at hot meal at noon daily at the Adelaide soup bowl. The Soup Kitchen serves an average of 95 people each meal day. This program is coordinated by Jean Garner.
Location: First Baptist Church
603 Adelaide Street (Corner Adelaide and Princess)
Woodstock, Ontario N4S 4B8
Phone 537-5261
Inn out of the Cold:
Inn Out of the Cold provides shelter for homeless males and females 16 years or older. Hours of operation are 7:30pm to 8:30am daily thru November 1 - March 31. Contact Chaplain Steve Giuliano (519) 539-3361 for more details.
Location: Old St. Paul's Anglican Church
721 Dundas Street,
Woodstock, Ontario N4S 1E8
Phone 537-3912
Chaplaincy:
Crisis counseling, home and hospital visits, advocacy, bible study, and spiritual support. Secular and non-secular services are offered as pertains to the individual's creed. Contact Chaplain Steve Giuliano (519) 539-3361 for more details.
Disability Support
Assistance with applications, case management and budgeting. Call Paul Arsenault at the meeting place for more information. 519-539-3361"
Fruit & Vegetable Cooperative – Ingersoll Location
The Food Co-op is a great opportunity to get produce at much reduced prices. Groups of individuals or families participate in the purchasing and distribution of fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets, for only $7.00 per week. The money is pooled, and the produce bought in bulk is much cheaper. A volunteer from Operation Sharing goes to the markets, purchases the produce, and brings it back to a volunteer coordinator for distribution to members of the co-op. This program is voluntarily supervised by Norma Stacey.
Women Seeking Balance Self Care Group
Women Seeking Balance - a self care group. A free service for community members. The group meets weekly at the Meeting Place Ingersoll, and tends to the mind, bodies and spirits of the participants in order to gain balance. This group is facilitated by our Extended Family Coordinator, Christina Crawford and Shelley Trafford, Meeting Place Co-ordinator.
Slow Cooker Nutritional Course
Our slow cooker course is a five week educational class with an emphasis on creating healthy and quick meals from scratch with the use of a slow cooker. This free class will help our students learn the importance of proper nutrition by participating in the preparation of a different meal each week. They will then enjoy the meal together at the end of each class. At the end of the course each person will take home a free slow cooker with the meal they’ve prepared to serve their families. Students will be equipped with recipes, techniques and the confidence to cook nutritiously for their families. Classes are run by trained volunteers, and there will be a special class with a health inspector about the importance of food safety.
Expense Plan Classes:
Our budgeting class is designed to help our patrons learn to create an expense plan which will allow them to pay bills on time and save for things they want. The classes are taught voluntarily by Patricia de Campos, a professional insolvency & credit counsellor.
My Neighbour’s Closet
Friday afternoons, The Meeting Place Ingersoll hosts a free clothing exchange. People may drop off gently used clothing at any time, and the public is welcome to come and help themselves to whatever they need. This has been a successful program, with an average of 37 people coming monthly to the “Closet” since it began in August
Coats for Kids:
New and good used coats, boots, hats, and mitts for children and adults. Donations accepted year round, Call Norma Jean Bovington 519-539-3361 for further Info.
Christmas Day Gathering
Music, games and food from 10am till 4pm.
Christmas Place Store
An invitational opportunity to shop at minimal cost for families. Contact Cathy Gilverson 519-539-3361 for further info.
Books for Birthdays
New book on birthday for children 1 to 12 years old.
Knapsacks for kids
Children in need are supplied with a knapsack full of school supplies
to start their new school year off right. This program runs in August
out of The Meeting Places-Ingersoll and Woodstock. This program is
supervised by Caren Bright. Program is by "Invitation only. Contact
Caren Bright at (519) 539-3361 (Woodstock) or Shelley Trafford
(Ingersoll) to register.