Neola – COMMUNITY in Plain Sight

For the past ten years, before the sun rises, Neola Sanders arrives at Shepherds of Good Hope’s Community kitchen.

She enters the main door in the Richcraft Hope Centre at 216 Murray Street at 6:30 am to get ready for her volunteer shift serving breakfast to the local community.

Her shift starts by cleaning tables and prepping her food station. She works with her fellow volunteers and Shepherds staff to get the serving line ready with fresh toast, eggs, bacon, coffee and everything else guests need for their first meal of the day.

“Homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues could happen to any of us,” says Neola. “We all deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness at the end of the day.”

Being in the kitchen for the morning shift is the perfect start to Neola’s day, before she heads off to work. She has formed friendships with her fellow volunteers and the people she serves.

The impact her support has on those she serves motivates Neola to continue to share her time with people who are looking for a nice meal, a place to live, and a connection with a friendly face.

“When you have someplace to go for a hot cup of coffee and a warm meal, that can set the tone for the day. When somebody knows your name, when somebody recognizes you, is glad to see you, I think that makes a big difference.”

“It costs nothing,” she says. “But if you can have someone’s day start that way, then who knows where it could go after that?”

Neola is Community.

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