We need your help to build a food secure Winnipeg! Donate today at:
fundly.com/making-good-things-together-2020
6 years ago, the Bell Tower Community Cafe opened its doors for the first time in Westminster Church at the corner of Maryland and Westminster. In our early days we created the mandate to “Make Good Things Together”, to serve a good cup of coffee, enjoy invigorating live music and give away food hampers from Winnipeg Harvest. We started by opening our doors to 20 families and individuals in the neighbourhood. And in those first few Bell Towers, we were unsure if we would even be able to serve a meal. Instead, we were driven by our common goal: to become a place to meet people and build community.
Since these early days, we have hosted 155 Bell Towers on Friday nights, and sent home over 10,000 food hampers with our Bell Tower families and guests. Over 1,500 crock pots of chilli, soup, meat balls and pasta have been served to fill hungry bellies. And over the course of 6 summers, we have been able to host 36 BBQs thanks to our great community partners at our local Food Fare. That means we have served over 7,000 hot dogs and hamburgers! Because of our volunteer team of drivers, we have been able to give almost 3,000 guest rides to their home with an overflowing box of food thanks to our amazing partnership and support from Winnipeg Harvest. And all of this is possible because of an amazing team of volunteers who are committed to our community and collectively have put in over 12,000 hours volunteering!
Supporting families with food hampers from Winnipeg Harvest and creating a welcoming and inclusive space to eat a free community meal is how we are creating a more food secure neighbourhood. In addition to building food security, we have been able to offer more choice at Bell Tower. In the last couple years, we have established a low cost mini mart, offering: eggs, fresh fruit, canned protein and other healthy food items we rarely receive through Winnipeg Harvest. In the last year, the Manitoba Egg Farmers has joined us as a community partner allowing us to sell eggs at a very affordable price. Eggs are flying off the table at the mini mart!
In 6 years, we have been able to invest in, and build a diverse community. Our strength lies in the relationships that have been created at the Bell Tower. When we asked our community: “Why do you come to Bell Tower?” the number one reason they come is for the people. We come to meet new people, to feel understood, and to feel accepted.
We need your help to continue opening our doors to meet every other Friday night at Bell Tower. Your donations help fill empty fridges, generate festive summer BBQs, help us serve a free and inviting community meal, and are an investment in an inclusive community.
How You Can Help
Help the Bell Tower Community Cafe create a more food secure Winnipeg and create a place for community in the West Broadway neighbourhood.
To Donate to the Bell Tower Community Cafe:
- Make a donation online at:
fundly.com/making-good-things-together-2020 - Mail cheques to:
Bell Tower Community Cafe
745 Westminster Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3G
Recent Comments