Charity In Action

The House of Friendship is the largest provider of emergency food assistance in the Kitchener/Waterloo community, annually feeding over 20,000 individuals, one-third of whom are children. Their Food Hamper Distribution Centre at 807 Guelph Street is undergoing expansion and was facing a serious threat in its ability to help those in need. The construction almost forced the operation to close — that is until Kitchener Knights of Columbus Corporation Chairman Brother Brian Hughes stepped in. Brian has enabled food-hamper distribution to continue to needy families by offering The House of Friendship the use of a portion of the K of C Hall and property as office space and food storage. Food hampers are coordinated and distributed on the K of C property while the office administration functions inside the Knight’s Hall. The construction has been delayed by the late arrival of several building permits required to begin the project. With deep gratitude, Mr. John Neufeld, Executive Director of the House of Friendship said, “We can’t stress enough how grateful we are to the Knights of Columbus and your generous support. You’ve allowed individuals struggling with hunger in our community to continue to receive food from a location that they are used to coming to. You have been a gift and a blessing to us and our community!” Mr Neufeld told K of C GK Dave Obermeyer he is hopeful the building expansion will be completed by the end of October.

Charity is in action between The House of Friendship and Kitchener Knights of Columbus. While construction continues to expand their Food Bank distribution building and to prevent any interruption in food sharing to the needy, the K of C has donated office and property space to the community’s valued agency. Examining construction are (l to r) Colin MacIntosh, Property Services Manager and John Neufeld, Executive Director from The House of Friendship and K of C GK Dave Obermeyer.

While building construction takes place, The House of Friendship Food Hamper distribution facility is temporarily set up in the K of C parking lot.