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Three decades ago, Samaritan House Ministries began as a women's shelter in downtown Brandon. Since then, it has grown into an organization that helps literally hundreds of people in many different ways each month. This, through their food bank, resource centre, safe and warm shelter as well as at their training centre and employment resource centre. They also offer second stage housing for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.
And through these years of growing and building their programs and outreach mission, Executive Director Barbara McNish has played a part.
"When Samaritan House first started up, I volunteered with the literacy program that they had, and did a few hours here and there," explains McNish. "And then I came on as a women's counselor when the women's counselor at that time took the executive position at around 1988. I came on as Executive Director a few interim times in between executive directors were leaving. And then in early 2020 I just felt the Lord say to me I needed to put my name in and make it official, and so I did, and they hired me!"
Since its inception the volunteers and staff at Samaritan House Ministries have been motivated by the Christian spirit of service and compassion, and Barbara McNish carries this compassion openly to all who cross her path, either as a staff member or volunteer, a donor or a recipient of one of their many services, or one who is in any of their programs.
McNish says she has seen the increase in their clients from across the Westman Region over her time at Samaritan House.
"We're seeing a lot more need and the donations are steady, but because the need is greater there is an imbalance," she explains. "Donations are not keeping up with the need."
Since 2022 Samaritan House has seen about 2000 new or returning families for food hampers at the food bank on Pacific Avenue in downtown Brandon.
Please listen to more with Barbara McNish below!
But as always, McNish extends are deepest gratitude to the many who have contributed in so many different ways over the years, and to those who will continue that servanthood long after she's retired.
"I want to thank people for the support for Samaritan House and for myself personally," shares Barbara McNish. "As we get closer to the Christmas season, I want to wish everyone a blessed and a very merry Christmas and may they know the reason for the season, and that's Christ."