Homeless sandwich run...     

 EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SANDWICH RUNS

Thank-you for your interest in volunteering with a Project417 Sandwich Run to the homeless. We've been facilitating this volunteer outreach program in Toronto for more than a decade and can assure you a rewarding experience in ministering to the homeless population of the inner city who live on the streets. Please read our important notices on the right --->

What is a "sandwich run"?

A sandwich run is simply volunteers delivering nutritious bag lunches to homeless street people by walking well travelled routes in the downtown area of Toronto where street people live.  It is a relational outreach activity, that is -  in addition to delivering a meal to a hungry person, hopefully friendly conversations will take place and bridges of trust strengthened.

Where do we meet?

Most sandwich runs start behind Knox Church and the Toronto City Mission building at the rear of 608 Spadina Ave, the west side, just south of Harbord, south of nearest major intersection, Spadina and Bloor and the Bloor subway Spadina station and streetcar stop. We meet at the REAR of the building, the back lane is called Sussex Mews. Ekklesia Project417 is not officially associated with Toronto City Mission, but long standing arrangements have been made to start our sandwich runs there. [NOTE - please do not call the Toronto City Mission or ring the office doorbell, they don't have any details of our schedule, etc. See "Contact Us" , below.] There is very limited parking directly behind TCM so please arrive early enough to locate city/street parking close by.

Where do we go?

Depending on the size of your group we have several routes that pass places frequented by the homeless. Due to the transient nature of street people these routes are constantly being revised  by our team leaders to ensure we can reach those most in need.  Most routes finish at a common meeting place at Victoria and Dundas, near Dundas Square (Tim Horton's).

How do we get there?

We walk. Walking routes are primarily main city streets and would average about 6 km.  Occasionally, depending on group size, a van route is also available to more outlying areas. We encourage the use of TTC transit for your group to meet at the starting point. If you are bringing a youth group down, it might be a good idea for adult counsellors to have sufficient TTC fares for the youth. If you travel down by car you might consider parking at least one of your vehicles at the Dundas Square underground parking so that it's available at the end of the route to shuttle other drivers back.

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How long will we be out?

Most sandwich runs will last two to three hours. Actual time on the street is less and varies, because of time dedicated to orientation, preparation, and debriefing. Most sandwich runs start at 7PM evening and run to about 10PM.  Please be punctual - the street people are waiting for you! (as well as our volunteer team leaders).

Who goes with us?

Experienced volunteers who have assisted Ekklesia and other inner city organizations, as well as Ekklesia staff and missionary workers. An important component of the relational work of Ekklesia is that the team leaders build ongoing, regular relationships with the homeless. If you are bringing a youth group or other younger aged group, please also remember  to have enough adults/counsellors to oversee them, as that is not the role of Ekklesia staff- a good rule of thumb is one counsellor  to every six youth.

What about the bag lunches?

You provide them. Quantities can be worked out depending on group size, but you will have to prepare them in advance - we recommend making this a group activity because many hands make little work, and it can be quite a burden for only a couple to make several dozen sandwiches. There is no use of facilities for sandwich making at TCM. Please remember that although you may need boxes to transport the bag lunches down to us, you will definitely need grocery bags, knapsacks or other  bags to deliver the sandwiches out on the streets.  Brown paper bags are good for the individual lunches, but poly bags are actually better during wet weather conditions.

EACH bag lunch contains:

(These ingredients are *IMPORTANT*, more details during orientation)

What else can we bring for the street people?

Be sure to make arrangements with us beforehand, but we encourage you to consider collecting and bringing the following:  SOCKS, like white tube sport socks or heavy winter woolen socks, or whatever is available... (the street people always ask us for socks);  Personal Hygiene kits (ie. soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, individual shampoos, kleenex paks, bandaids, feminine hygiene items, combs, etc); bottled water;  gloves or mitts; hats, toques, headbands, scarves,  new or gently used clothing.  Don't put these items in with the lunch bags. By the way, please don't bring bibles or tracts to hand out without speaking to us first.

How do we contact you to book our Sandwich Run and make arrangements?

How are the Ekklesia sandwich runs funded?

Ekklesia is a faith based Christian registered Canadian charitable organization. Tax deductible donations can be made to - Ekklesia Inner City Ministries - Project417, One Dundas St. West, Suite 2500 Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3

Cdn. Charitable Bus. CRA#89042763RR0001

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