MEET THE TEAM
KATHLEEN
Supper Table Manager
kstrader@st-josephs.ca
WILLIAM
Assistant Manager
suppertable@st-josephs.ca
JF
Program Coordinator
suppertable@st-josephs.ca
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Joe’s Supper Table was established by Fr. Fred Magee, OMI in 1978. Fr. Fred lived in the rectory that now houses the St. Joe’s Supper Table. He noticed the growing problem of food insecurity and tried to do his part, in a very modest way, by preparing fresh sandwiches for anyone who came to the door of the rectory. As word spread in Ottawa of Fr. Fred’s outreach, parishioners from St. Joseph’s Parish joined him and the sandwich service evolved into a full, hot dinner offered on weekdays.
Our mission is to feed the hungry who come to our doors. As a low-barrier community meal service and food bank, we are dedicated to serving anyone who comes in need of food — for both the body and the soul. At the heart of our organization is our desire to nourish those most in need, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion and age, cultural background and life experiences. Embracing this diversity only enhances our organizational culture and creates an empowerment that helps foster good health and social well-being.
St. Joe’s Supper Table is located in downtown Ottawa (Sandy Hill), between the University of Ottawa and the Byward Market. As such, we are an inner-city operation close to several homeless shelters. We have one fully-equipped kitchen, a dining room that seats up to 16 guests at a time.
Our meals usually contain a main dish, a side salad, a dessert and tea, coffee, water or hot chocolate. We also provide vegetarian meals as well as meals that respect the dietary and religious observances of our diverse guests. Thanks to our partnership with the Islamic Care Centre of Ottawa, the local Muslim community provides us with two fully-cooked Halal meals per month.
The St. Joe’s Supper Table lives the charism of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate by walking in solidarity with the poor and marginalized of downtown Ottawa, while also responding to the changing and increasingly diverse demographics of our city, providing a welcoming place of rest for all.
