For the second full year, in 2024 St George’s Anglican Church in Clayton hosted monthly free community breakfasts. A breakfast was held on the second Saturday from 9 to 11am in each month with the exception of January, July and August. A full hot breakfast was served and all were welcome. A donation box was available and donations were gratefully received however not expected or required. The average attendance was 25 – 35 guests.
Due to the generosity of parishioners, guests and local community members, the year ended with a surplus of $1700 after expenses. Parishioners donated some of the food and maple syrup, Thompsontown sells us maple syrup at a reduced rate. A neighbour who has laying hens has begun donating the eggs and is even coming to cook them. Two other community members have helped during the breakfast in various capacities. It is usually pretty loud with lots of visiting and laughter. The social part is just as important as the sharing of breakfast.
In December the congregation discussed the disbursment of the surplus resulting in donations to the following deserving organizations.
- The Anglican Foundation of Canada – $100 (discrectionary funds for priests)
- Holy Name of Mary Catholic /school, Almonte – $100 ( children’s food program)
- Naismith Public School, Almonte – $100 (children’s food program)
- R. Tait Mackenzie Public School, Almonte – $100 (children’s food program)
- Almonte District High School, Almonte – $100 (children’s food program)
- Almonte Lions Club (Christmas Basket Fund) – $400
- Lanark Highlands Food Pantry (Christmas Basket Fund) – $400
- Cornerstone Landing Youth Services – $400 (assisting Lanark County homeless youth)
The congregation hopes that those who have donated money, goods or labour feel that we have made good choices. In this time of so much food insecurity, we hope to have made a small dent. We are pleased to be continuing the breakfasts in 2025, with the next one scheduled on February 8.
