The K of C recognizes the important role The House of Friendship plays in the community. Accepting a $3,500 donation from Council 1504 is Executive Director, Mr. John Neufeld. From l to r, John Neufeld, GK Dave Obermeyer and Mr. Anthony Bender, HOF Community Services Program Director.
The House of Friendship was founded in 1939 by a women’s prayer group which originally was a store-front mission on King Street in downtown Kitchener. It had a reading room, a dining room and provided food. Over the years, the mission has evolved into a charitable social service agency serving thousands which is a vital part of the social service network of Waterloo Region, providing food and assistance, shelter and supportive housing, addiction treatment, and community development and summer camp.
This past year, Kitchener Knights of Columbus Council 1504, acted as the temporary summer headquarters for the House of Friendship’s Food Hamper Distribution Centre. After operating at their Guelph Street location for over 20 years, they decided to renovate and expand their building where it receives and sorts food and where recipients come to collect their food hampers. Renovations added an internal loading dock reducing heat loss during winter deliveries and a new client reception area. It took almost a year and $750,000 to greatly increase their space which will reduce the traffic chaos as clients and donors arrive at the Centre.
Coinciding with the completion of the Centre’s expansion, Kitchener Knights of Columbus donated $3,500 to further support The House of Friendship Delayed construction began in July while, House of Friendship set up shop next door on the K of C property arranged by Brother Brian Hughes, Chairman of the Columbus Kitchener Co-operative Incorporated. HOF Executive Director John Neufeld said, “The donated space from the Knights has been a huge help, he said. “I can’t say enough about the help from the Knights of Columbus and the Food Bank. They really have allowed this to happen.”
House of Friendship Executive Director Mr. John Neufeld (l) accepts a cheque in the amount of $3,500 from Council 1504 GK Dave Obermeyer. This K of C donation date at their newly expanded Food Hamper Distribution Centre on Guelph Street. Assisting is Mr. Anthony Bender (r), Community Services Program Director.
Proudly demonstrating their caring energy is this happy crew at the newly renovated and expanded Food Hamper Distribution Centre on Guelph Street in Kitchener. Taking one year to complete, The House of Friendship project included a renovated interior of the Centre, with additions for a client reception area and food product receiving department.