A new initiative launched in Hawkesbury on Saturday, November 15, offering free weekly hot lunches to low-income residents, vulnerable individuals, and people experiencing homelessness. Centre 440 Hawkesbury opened its doors for the first time at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall on Stanley Street, welcoming anyone looking to warm up with a hot meal.
Executive members Ron Kallio, Penny Male-Kallio, and Carolyn Coffin-Caputo, along with Rev. Felix Longdon from the Parish of the Lower Ottawa Valley and a team of volunteers, saw a growing need for accessible meals in Hawkesbury and the surrounding region. Together, they created Centre 440.
“We put our heads together, did a needs assessment, and visited other hot-meal programs in neighbouring areas such as Cornwall and Rockland. Everywhere we went, people told us the same thing: What this area needs is a hot meal program,” Kallio said.
Kallio emphasized that Centre 440 “is a step up from a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. For lunch today, for example, we’ve got roasted ham, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, and desserts. It’s so much more than that; it’s a no-cost hot meal program for our community.”
Currently, Centre 440 is accepting monetary, food, and in-kind donations. Kallio said the group posts its more urgent needs on Facebook, and volunteers are always welcome to reach out to see how they can help.
“We already have a list of about 20 volunteers, but we won’t turn anyone away,” Kallio said. “As a registered charitable organization, we want people to know that we’re transparent on where donations are going.”
Kallio noted that the organization is approaching local grocery stores and community programs to secure a weekly supply of food. He added that the on-site kitchen is expected to receive Eastern Ontario Health Unit certification within the next few weeks.
The organization is also seeking non-food items such as dish soap, folding tables, and storage appliances.
Centre 440 will operate every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and plans to continue indefinitely.
“We don’t judge anyone who comes in. People come from all over the region—if they can get here, they’re welcome. Feel free to drop a donation in the box if you feel inclined, but it is not required,” Kallio concluded.
Individuals can contact the organization at [email protected], or by calling 514-867-5194, to learn more.
