The date is set - Agape Table will officially break ground at their new location on Friday, Nov. 15.
The non-profit currently serves meals out of the basement of The Wave Church at 364 Furby Street in Winnipeg.
“We’re moving right beside where we are right now,” says executive director Jim Steep. “We’re at 364 Furby, but our offices are at 356 Furby, and right beside that, at 350 Furby is where the new building will be.”
Since its creation in 1980, Agape Table has resided at a handful of locations, the longest being 29 years at All Saints Church at Broadway and Osborne. The organization has never owned their space, making this new building all the more wonderful.
“We’ve always leased a space,” Steep confirms. “Usually the basement of a church or something similar. This project has been in the making for 10 years now, and it’s finally going to come to fruition very shortly.”
The new 10,500 sq. ft. building will be able to accommodate the increasing number of people requesting food to come indoors (after over 5 years of serving bagged meals at the front door) to a warm, welcoming and safe environment that is completely accessible to all. It will also include a main floor loading and receiving area to receive donated food and non-food items, increased storage facilities, and a new expanded community kitchen.
“It’s quite an operation!” says Steep.
Donate now and help build a new home for Agape Table
More than a soup kitchen
Many know Agape Table as a Winnipeg soup kitchen. In reality, it is much more.
“Agape Table is a food assistance centre and feeding hungry people is our focus,” says general manager Dave Feniuk. “It’s a hub of activity. Every weekday morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. we’re helping out our community by providing a healthy meal to all who ask. We also provide personal care items and clothing, as available, to those in need.”
Feniuk calculates that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Agape Table was serving 85,000 meals per year. In 2023, the need increased to 147,000. Projections for 2025 are even higher, sitting at an estimated 160,000. While the homeless are greatly helped, Feniuk wishes to clarify that this is not the only demographic coming through their doors.
“It has changed over the years. Our guests are still predominantly the marginalized community, but we are seeing the demand for food assistance expand to include Ukrainian refugees and other new immigrants, the unemployed and under-employed, seniors, students, and families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Your generosity and partnership is appreciated
Funds are currently being raised for the A New Home For Agape Table Capital Campaign. Of their $8 million goal, over $5.5 million has been raised to date.
“We still need $2.5 million to build our permanent home” Steep notes. “People can help out by making donations - it’s easiest on our website. There, you can make a donation for either capital or operations.”
Agape Table has many indirect yet longstanding partnerships with rural southern Manitoba communities. These include farmers growing produce, community fall suppers collecting monetary donations, and food and clothing drives from the Winkler-Altona area.
Beyond finances, Agape Table is always in need of volunteers, and encourages people to come down and be part of the magic.
“It gives you a sense of pride, knowing that you’re not in this alone,” says Feniuk. “Everybody has a common goal, and that’s to make sure that people that are in need are getting the help that they deserve.”
Make a donation for the A New Home For Agape Table Capital Campaign!