The Grind Pembroke has received a $149,500 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. Funds were used to complete renovations and upgrades to the former Pembroke Fire Hall on Victoria Street according to Executive Director Jerry Novak.
While the Grind is still only offering take-out meals at this point in time, Novak hopes to have a grand opening in the next couple of weeks.
Deacon Adrien Chaput, Chair of The Grind Pembroke, says the newly renovated Coffee House will be a warm and welcoming place for community members to have a healthy meal and, of course, a nice hot coffee. The Grind also has newly installed accessible washrooms and a shower facility.
Chaput says work will be completed in the next few weeks and will give people in the community improved access to many needed supports, including nutritious food, finding affordable housing and referrals to valuable resources.
Work is also underway to open a warming centre at the Grind again this year.
The Chair of The Grind Pembroke says they are serving roughly 100 clients on a daily basis from Tuesday to Friday between 11:00am and 1:00pm in addition to offering emergency food kits. Chaput says St. Vicent de Paul is serving community members from Saturday to Monday and the Grind is also working alongside the St. Joseph’s Food Bank.
Monetary and food donations are always accepted and you can call the Grind (613-732-9423) to see what items are in high demand. Chaput says they also need volunteers to help build a stronger team to take care of people in the community.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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The Grind new facility in Pembroke serving roughly 150 meals a day