From summer programs to holiday hampers to Thanksgiving meals, throughout the year the Canadian Web Hosting team volunteers with Union Gospel Mission (UGM) for numerous events that they run. However, what makes UGM special are the things they do for the Vancouver community on a daily basis.

Everyday UGM puts out a lunch and dinner meal for the community feeding between 700 – 800 people per day across all their locations. These meals have been one of their core services since the inception of UGM in 1940 and is built into their motto of “hope begins with a meal.”

To experience what this is all about, Hadir El-Maghraby, Human Resources and Operations, Josselyn Rodriguez, Customer Experience Manager, and Adelina Wong, Marketing Lead, headed to the UGM kitchen to assist with a lunch time meal. While it’s UGM’s six Red Seal Chefs who are responsible for putting out these meals every day, they’re only able to prepare such large amounts of food with the support of volunteers (like us!) in the kitchen.

“I didn’t realize how many people go daily to UGM for a warm healthy meal,” says Hadir. “This experience was different from the other times I’ve volunteered because I could see that my contribution can make a direct impact to those in need.”

After a quick introduction to the chefs, we were off chopping and peeling. Hadir was put on mushroom duty while Joss and Adelina prepared the carrots. Lunch is served promptly at 11 AM and we had an hour of prep work ahead of us. All three of us made quick work of the pile of vegetables we were handed and the hour moved quickly.

“This was the first time I’ve ever been in a professional kitchen and I was a little apprehensive about what to expect,” Adelina confesses. “However, the chefs were friendly and showed us exactly what to do and I was amazed to see how everything came together for the meal.”

Before long, it was time to start serving! On the menu were meatballs, mashed potatoes or pasta, mixed veggies and a bun. The menu changes everyday. While some of the food served is as a result of donations from restaurant and stores around Vancouver, its through the generosity of donors that the chefs are also able to purchase ingredients in order to create balanced and nutritious meals. These meals are filled with protein and vitamins from fruits and vegetables that their guests would otherwise be lacking.

“While I do meal prepping at home, I enjoyed it a lot more at UGM! It was very rewarding knowing that what I was doing wasn’t for me, but going to someone in need and that it would help get them through the day,” shares Josselyn.

It was fascinating to experience a little part of this core service run by UGM. With so many moving parts, it’s incredible that they’re able to put out nutritious and delicious meals 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.

It is Union Gospel Missions’s hope that by coming into their facilities for these meals, those who are struggling with homelessness, poverty, or addiction, can learn about the programs that are available to support and help them overcome their barriers. UGM accepts volunteers and donations year-round. You can find out more about their mission and work here.