About IFTC

Our In From the Cold (IFTC) ministry aims to provide a quality 4-course dinner to guests experiencing poverty or other challenges.  We gather in a safe, loving, hospitable, respectable and dignified environment for Saturday afternoon dinners, to read a book or magazine, listen to live music from local bands, and to receive prayers for joys and concerns.  IFTC started in November 2002 with 35 guests.  In recent years, we hosted an average of 110 guests per week and served over 2,000 meals a season, with leftovers going to guests and community partners. 

Guests are welcome at IFTC every Saturday from mid-November to mid-March between 2 and 5 PM, except for any Saturdays from Christmas and New Years Day.  Check back for dates this fall.

Volunteers:  include members of Parkdale United Church and community friends. Every week, more than 70 people volunteer to support various tasks such as:

• purchasing food and supplies
• setting up the tables and chairs in the hall and preparing the beverages and snacks
• preparing food in the kitchen under the guidance of the Chef
• greeting our guests as they arrive and assisting them in getting to/from the hall
• scheduling volunteers and community groups
• serving beverages and snacks prior to dinner
• offering reading opportunities via our literacy table
• providing musical entertainment
• serving the 4-course meal*
• preparing sandwiches to distribute to guests when they leave
• washing dishes and cleaning up the kitchen and dining hall
• doing laundry
• delivering any leftover food to community partners

*We often welcome groups (15-20 people) who volunteer together to serve the meal. These groups have included: various faith-based organizations, college and university students, Ottawa-based companies who support their employees’ volunteerism. groups of friends and neighbours. sport teams, and community service groups