Photo Karen Graham.
Pictured is Jane Berlin, right, with two members of the Millbrook group preparing sandwiches last Thursday for delivery to Trinity Community Centre for distribution to its clients.
For the past four years, a growing group of residents in Bethany and Millbrook have been preparing sandwiches and snacks for delivery to the community shelter in Peterborough under the energetic leadership of Bethany resident Jane Berlin.
The group is part of a nation-wide collection of sandwich-making volunteers called Sandwich Sisters, providing tangible support to those less fortunate. Today roughly 200 sandwich-making volunteers in Bethany, Millbrook and Peterborough provide sandwiches to a Peterborough shelter four days a week to very appreciative recipients.
Last year, the shelter distributing the sandwiches relocated to Trinity Community Centre. This new organization is owned by the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network and operates as a non-profit under the name One City Peterborough. Located at the former Trinity United Church, this facility has overnight accommodation for 45 guests but as yet has no functioning kitchen, so sandwich deliveries have continued.
Until last month, volunteers prepared the sandwichs in their own homes, dropping them off in a central location where Jane picked them up and delivered them to the shelter. Unfortunately, the Peterborough Health Unit received a complaint last month indicating that the sandwiches being distributed were not made in certified kitchens, suggesting this posed a potential health risk to the recipients. Despite the efforts of shelter staff, local politicians and the health inspector, the complaint forced the health unit to insist that the sandwiches be prepared in an approved facility so making them at home was no longer an option. A certified location for sandwich preparation was required.
Once word spread about the need for a certified kitchen, there was no shortage of offers for help from community organizations. The Lions’ Club has opened its doors for sandwich preparation every Thursday from 10 am to noon. Centreville Church located on County Rd. 28 in South Monaghan and St. Thomas Anglican Church in Millbrook are opening their kitchens on the second Thursday of the month from 10 am until noon. Volunteers bring unopened bread and sandwich fillings and prepare them together, dropping them off at the Millbrook Farm and Pet Supply store by noon every Thursday morning. Those who wish to donate supplies rather than prepare the sandwiches are invited to drop off unopened sandwich supplies at the store for delivery to the shelter where volunteers will prepare the sandwiches on site. The group is relieved to have successfully crossed this hurdle, but finds the turn of events somewhat ironic: the program began during the pandemic in response to the closure of communal kitchens and now the food preparation must occur in a communal setting. KG
The group is always looking for new members. If you would like to contribute to this program, please contact Jane Berlin at sandwichsistersmb@gmail.com
