Our Programs

BRIDGING THE GAP

Bridging the Gap is a place of friendship, hope, and a caring listening ear, where all are treated with dignity. This program is geared to support our visitors’ needs through service navigation support that makes connections to other community agencies and resources. Toiletries, household supplies, food vouchers and Clothes Closet vouchers are provided to our visitors.

This program is on a drop in basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30-11am. Appointments are not required. Within a safe and informal setting, we offer our visitors opportunities to share their successes and challenges on a one-on-one basis with a volunteer.

In 2025 we had 2490 visits from Aurora families. We are currently serving 100 families (135 adults and 80 children) per month.

Eligibility requirements to participate in this program include being an Aurora resident and completion of a yearly assessment. For more information, please call the Welcoming Arms office at 905-726-1483.

MEALS PLUS

This program supports individuals and families experiencing food insecurity by providing nutritious frozen meals and connections to other community supports through our system navigation program. Toiletries, household cleaning supplies and Clothes Closet vouchers for access to cost-free, gently used clothing are also provided.

This drop-in program is open on Wednesday mornings from 9:30–11:00 a.m. Appointments are not required. Within a safe and informal setting, we offer our visitors opportunities to share their successes and challenges on a one-on-one basis with a volunteer. Eligibility requirements include being an Aurora resident and completing a yearly assessment.

This pilot project is made possible by the generosity of community donors. Many thanks to the organizers of the Aurora Hewy Christmas Classic for helping get this program up and running for 2026.

THE WAY FORWARD

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability who are accessing our drop-in programs and community meals will have the opportunity to connect with a dedicated housing worker who will engage in case management to support with system navigation, housing attainment and retention and community referrals and connections.

MARTHA’S TABLE LUNCH

** Summer location - Aurora Cornerstone Church, 390 industrial pkwy S, Aurora from 11:30-12:30

Martha’s Table is a community luncheon that operates every Thursday out of St Andrew’s Presbyterian (32 Mosley St, Aurora) from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm from September to June. Martha’s Table offers approximately 50 weekly guests a safe, welcoming place to meet, eat homemade soup and sandwiches and experience friendly conversations!

If you walk in to St Andrews kitchen at 9:30 am on a Thursday, you will be in good company with our volunteers working together, getting everything ready for the luncheon. The kitchen is always full of a positive attitude as volunteers work as a true team, always ready to do anything that needs to be done.

From slicing the freshly donated COBS bread, prepping the weekly egg salad, tuna, salmon and cucumber sandwiches, cutting the fresh fruit and cakes for dessert, making coffee and tea, the Martha’s Table kitchen is a joyful place to start off a day!

WELCOME TABLE DINNER

Welcome Table is a drop-in community dinner that operates every Wednesday out of Trinity Anglican Church (79 Victoria St, Aurora) at 5:00pm, providing a hot meal 52 weeks of the year. Please note that takeout has been discontinued as of September 13, 2023.

For almost 20 years, Welcome Table has been providing a safe space, food and friendship to about 100 guests each week. This currently includes about 10 children and 50 seniors.

More than 100 dedicated volunteers serve in a variety of roles: Servers, Security, Friends, Chefs, Sous-Chefs, and Dishwashers

Join our team in caring for our community! Email: keri@welcomingarms.ca to get involved.

RISE & SHINE BREAKFAST

Rise & Shine is a drop-in community breakfast that operates every Saturday out of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (32 Mosley Street, Aurora) at 9:30am, providing a hot meal from October to May. Please note that takeout has been discontinued as of September 13, 2023.

For almost 20 years, Rise & Shine has been providing a safe space, food and friendship to about 50 guests each week.

More than 50 dedicated volunteers serve in a variety of roles: Servers, Chefs, Sous-Chefs, and Dishwashers

Join our team in caring for our community! Email:

GIVING GARDEN

The Giving Garden is a success each year thanks to the ABLE Network, who plants, waters, weeds and harvests fresh vegetables throughout the season. Through their hard work, we can provide fresh vegetables to visitors at our Bridging the Gap program throughout the summer and fall.

We are so grateful to Snowball Garden Center for generously donating the soil each year, making this garden possible!

CVITP TAX CLINC

Visitors to our drop-in programs - Bridging the Gap and MealsPlus - can meet one-on-one with a specially trained volunteer to complete tax returns at no cost. Speak to our program volunteers to learn about the benefits of submitting yearly tax returns.