The Grange family has spent part of Christmas morning at the Scott Mission for the last three years, helping to stir up some holiday cheer for those in need.
“It’s important to help people who might not have as much as you have,” says Sidone Grange.
The Branche family has also made work at the Scott Mission a holiday tradition –- they have been pitching in on Christmas morning for more than 20 years. “You feel that need to share and give back,” says Charles Branche. “It’s something more meaningful to us as a family, to do this at Christmastime.”
Christmas is one of the hardest days of the year for those who don’t have family, and they are grateful for the holiday meal and the all the trimmings at the Scott Mission. More than 300 people show up for the turkey meals at the Christian, non-denominational charity on Spadina Avenue and College Street.
The head of the Scott Mission says over the past six years the need has grown, and the face of poverty has changed. Lately, those coming in for help include university graduates who can’t find work, or working families who don’t make enough to feed their children.
And for the single men who’ve been the traditional clients of the centre, “It’s such a family oriented time and its hardest time for our men,” Scott Mission CEO Peter Duraisami tells CTV Toronto. “They have families but something has happened in their life and this is the hardest day.”
The Scott Mission generally has plenty of volunteers for the holidays, but are looking all the time for donations for families. They have listed an “urgent” need for baby supplies and formula.
With a report by Naomi Parness
