Day 4, SUNDAY, instalment 10

We're at the half-way point in the project and it's looking good. My challenge for the day was the oft-used "a mouse ate my pillow." I didn't open it until this afternoon or I would have stopped at Zeller's and bought a really cheap one. For now I'm going to do as a few others have done, and stuff a pillow case. I found an old polyfill parka that's nice and fluffy, if a bit lumpy in spots and smells a little musty as it was in the basement. That fills up a pillowcase and I'll put another pillowcase on in the opposite direction to keep the whole thing together. Not bad, actually. If I have to go out tomorrow I may consider buying a new pillow but I'll wait and see how this one works tonight.

I was picked up for church this morning and used the toonie I borrowed from a friend on Thursday, as my offering. That was a good exercise. Instead of using a giving envelope where no one can see the amount you're contributing, placing a plain, naked toonie in the plate was a little embarrassing since the ushers wouldn't have known that I'm on the challenge. That was an interesting awareness and I didn't like it much.

The same friend who took me to Lakeside dropped me off at Jubilee church for lunch. Their service was still going on so I enjoyed Frank's message and the music. There was an interesting cross-section of congregants at Jubilee. Many were there just for church and didn't stay for lunch. Those who were having lunch started rearranging chairs and setting up tables as soon as the service was over. In no time there were four long rows of tables and chairs set up and the line began to form at the kitchen serving window.

I talked with those in the kitchen who were plating the 8 roasting pans of the one-dish dinner. The Way had provided this really substantial meal and it was being served by the youth from Jubilee. I was interested in the rotational provision of meals and Lyn took me on a bit of a tour. In the basement there is a series of pantry cupboards where is stored all the donations of canned goods and other non-perishables which have been collected through various food drives. This is the pantry from which Frank and Lyn withdraw foodstuffs as various local families ask for help. They don't actually prepare meals there but are sort of a clearing house for emergency food supplies. And there's always a need. Downstairs there is a huge set of pizza ovens donated in the past by Boston Pizza. These ovens are used to heat up the pans of food which show up every Sunday, delivered and in most cases, served, by alternating churches.

Back upstairs for lunch: Adrienne, Tabitha and I sat together and chatted with some of the patrons around us. The children had made really pretty valentine treats in Sunday School (20 kids) and they gave us each one of the pretty decorated cups with mixed valentine treats inside. Lunch was very, very good! People were lining up for seconds and several were taking home leftovers in margarine or yogurt containers. (Maybe pull some of those CLEAN containers out of your recycle and drop them off at Jubilee?) Lyn explained that at the time of the month when the assistance cheques have run out and people's pantries are really depleted, more patrons show up for lunch and many ask for take-home as that is all they'll have for tomorrow's meal.

As suddenly as it had become a dining hall, it was transformed into just a room, with clothing hanging neatly on hangers along one whole wall. I didn't ask but I got the impression the clothes were there, free, for whoever had need of them. The clothes closet had been draped off until lunch was finished and then people began 'shopping.' There's obviously a serious local need so I may reconsider sending used clothing to the larger depots as I've been doing.

Not only was it now just a room but it was swept and mopped by several young people who had come for lunch. Then I walked home. It's been a very long time since I've walked 15 minutes anywhere and especially on icy streets. Fortunately it was a pleasant, if cold, day and I managed. I managed well enough, in fact, that I may consider doing it again this week...and maybe even next week...and the week after, nah, don't get ahead of myself here, those resolutions never last.

I've been making a concentrated effort to keep the temperature lower than usual in the house but I was chilled so I bumped it up a notch or two while I did some Cat Care research. I called The Cat Shelter (capitalized so because that's the way it is in the phone book...go figure) and had a lovely chat with the woman who is responsible for at the moment, 115 homeless cats. She lives with these cats at 106 Regina Ave if anyone feels inspired to drop of food, litter, other supplies...or cash. The entire shelter funding comes from donations. $8,000 - $10,000 a month in expenses! Yes, that's the correct number of zeroes! I asked her how someone on assistance could possibly handle the cost of pet care, even if it weren't a Pampered Pet like Mocha. She feeds and tends the needs of these 115 cats, AND provides emergency supplies to families who can't afford to buy food or litter at the moment. There is also a Program 3 for emergency Veterinarian services. They also partially fund the Spay/Neuter program. Now, I know perfectly well that someone is thinking that families on assistance shouldn't be burdening themselves or the system for pet care! At first glance that may seem reasonable, but don't you remember my post where I talked about how healthy I am because as a new widow, Mocha came into my life? There are those on assistance who are pretty much housebound and in many cases, that cat may be their only exposure to a responsive, warm, breathing body. That's not even considering the personality of the pet. But I'll get off that soapbox because all we're dealing with here is the reality that there is a need for which people can't pay, and there is a service which will cover it for them. The need is being met by people like many of us who, I for one, will now contribute to their cause. She would also welcome volunteers.

After the generous lunch I didn't think I'd be hungry until tomorrow but that never has worked for me. I'm going to have a bowl of very thick, rich pea soup with a toasted English muffin...may even turn that muffin into croutons! I only have two bananas left so I may have to settle for half a banana with my hot milk later tonight. Fortunately for we less-fortunates who have only basic cable, The Grammys happens to be on one of those basic channels.

I'm tired of flat hair and dry skin; I need chocolate or something sweet; I want a glass of wine. End of whining and end of Day 4.