The Cathedral's Food Ministry

For decades, the Cathedral has used food as an opportunity to minister to those in need. From the Vancouver food bank’s beginnings at the Cathedral in the 1980s to the emergence of the Sandwich and later Maundy projects in the 1990s and early 2000s, this community understands the importance of food to nourish hungry bodies.

Soup and sandwiches were prepared at home in the early days. Stories are told of large pots of soup spilling over in back seats of cars. In addition, food safety regulations changed and required that all food (except baked goods) be prepared on-site.

The food ministry at Christ Church Cathedral started in 2006. The Maundy program served sandwiches, baked cookies and coffee on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesday and Thursday, a hot lunch was served which added hot soup and was served in the Parish Hall with dining room service and a piano in the background. In 2015 construction began on a kitchen expansion, a much longed for part of the Raise the Roof, Ring the Bells, Feed the Hungry! Capital project. During the weeks of construction sandwiches were made at St. Andrew’s Wesley. Volunteers gathered at Park Place to give them out along with water to some of our street congregation.

After an eight-month hiatus, the newly rebranded “Maundy Café” opened their doors in the Park Room with a widely expanded food ministry. Expansion of the kitchen, equipped with tools adequate, ensures no person will be turned away at the Cathedral’s doors. After the pandemic required us to serve outdoors, we are now moved back into the Parish Hall. Typically, the parish Hall is filled to capacity. The atmosphere is peaceful, the food is fresh and delicious, and volunteers are friendly and accommodating.