Women from a New Toronto church group have banded together to make hundreds of delicious sandwiches for Haven on The Queensway to help feed the poor and needy in our community.

“We had heard about the Toronto volunteers of Sandwich Sisters, who prepare sandwiches in their own homes and deliver to those in need,” says Michelle Tkach, of the Ukrainian Catholic Womens’ League of Canada (UCWLC), at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, on Sixth Street.

The UCWLC has been helping others, funding orphanages, schools and families in need for more than 20 years.

“With the COVID-19 challenge we decided that we would focus on our own community and support those in need locally,” Tkach explains. “We loved this idea and began communication with this Toronto organization now with over 600 sandwich makers.”

She said Etobicoke Centre MPP Kinga Surma suggested the food be donated to Haven on The Queensway, at 1533 The Queensway, which has volunteers serving 150 families with basic necessities.

The staff at Haven on The Queenway had last year suspended its lunch service due to the pandemic and the much-needed sandwiches will help resume the lunch program.

“This is our fourth delivery of sandwiches prepared by our 13 volunteer sandwich makers,” she says. “Many have encouraging messages, cheese with treats included with their sandwich.”

She said the volunteers follow strict COVID-19 guidelines, including the wearing of masks and gloves, with the food delivered in coolers.

They have also attracted a high schooler who is earning community service hours as a volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer or contribute to this food drive you can check out Sandwich Sister Pod or Christ the Good Shepherd Parish St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Facebook. You can also contact Michelle by email at mtkach@rogers.com