Mount Pearl Community Supper program 'maxing out' to serve its community

If Scott Hillyer didn't have to work, he says he'd dedicate more time to helping his community. Instead, the Mount Pearl business owner spends every second Wednesday preparing free meals.

The Mount Pearl Community Supper program runs like any other take-out: hot food is ready at the door, first come, first served.

Hillyer and his team of around 12 volunteers from various Mount Pearl churches start cooking at 10 a.m., and usually serve about 300 meals by 6 p.m., he said. 

"This week, we're doing about 340," Hillyer told CBC News.

The menu changes every two weeks, ranging from chicken cacciatore to turkey dinner. The program is hosted at a different church every time, but updates are regularly posted on social media.

This all started seven years ago— demand was very different then, according to Hillyer. He'd see about 100 people when he started out, but it's tripled since then.

"Last week, we ran out of meals in less than 10 minutes of opening the door," said the Coffee Matters owner. "The need is huge."

Food banks and charity organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador have reported increased demand in recent years as cost of living rises.

Six months ago, in October 2024, St. John's food bank Bridges to Hope told CBC they had to cut down on hamper items due to budget constrictions. 

Hillyer's non-profit does not receive any government funding, it relies on donations from the community as well as his business's resources. 

"We're maxing out," he said, the program is doing the most they can with what they have.

Volunteers aren't an issue, though.

"Anytime that I put a cry out for volunteers, we get ample," Hillyer said. "Every week I get emails asking, 'can I come volunteer?'" 

Hillyer says the program serves anyone in need, no matter what that need is. 

"Lots of times, there could be a senior that just wants to pop by and say hello to pick up a meal," he said.

"The smallest thing can be the biggest thing to somebody who's in need."

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