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By Justine Kelsie

Brother inspires Grande Prairie women to feed homeless

Jan 14, 2018 | 5:00 AM

A woman and her daughter have started a group that works to feed people experiencing homelessness. 

Everyone Eats in GP is a Facebook group that meets on the weekends to prepare and serve meals at Rotary House. 

“Time is not a big deal at all because I just get up and cook on Saturday mornings and at the same time, do whatever errands I need to do. Then we go serve it.”

Ballendine and her 24-year-old daughter Jessica were inspired by a family member to start volunteering. Ballendine’s brother is on the verge of homelessness on Vancouver Island and the two of them wanted a way to give back. For the two, it was only supposed to be a one-time thing but decided to go every weekend to help feed those in need. 

Her sister recommended that she make the Facebook page and invite others to join in. 

“What we do is we make the meals and have a sign-up page. If anyone wants to bring to-go containers, granola bars, or water and stuff like that. Lots of people do and we have a lot of support from people in the community.”

They’ve made meals of macaroni and cheese as well as meatballs.

Local grocery stores and businesses have donated produce and meat for the meals, but Ballendine accepts all donations to help fill people’s bellies each week. 

Everyone Eats in GP provides another option for those seeking something to eat. Salvation Army Lt. Peter Kim explains that there are a few places people can go for nourishment during the week.

On Monday and Thursday, a meal is served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Salvation Army. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, there is a breakfast and lunch service at the Salvation Army, but dinner on those days is served at the Friendship Centre. On the weekend, there are also two meals served a day. A brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday at the Friendship Centre. A dinner is served at the Church of Christ on Saturday. On Sunday, the Salvation Army provides a meal service for those in need at dinner time. 

“This has been going on consistently for years.  The Community always has access to a meal 7 days a week. We have a great partnership with [these] groups and want to ensure that there is food available for all in Grande Prairie,” explained Kim in an email to the EverythingGP newsroom. 

by Justine Kelsie