St John's Kitchen — Local services in Kitchener

I have been a client here off and on since October of 2017. When the pandemic came, no matter how desperate I got for resources, I made the decision to forego asking for help. I have several serious chronic health issues including serious hypertension and diabetes. I also help a 92 year old lady that requires support after breaking her hip. Someone in my apartment building just died from COVID a few weeks ago. A friend told me that I could go to St. John’s Kitchen to get my COVID-19 vaccine, so yesterday morning I headed there fighting awful anxiety the whole way. When I got there a lady with a clipboard was putting people on the list to be vaccinated. When my name was put on that list I felt enormous relief. Awhile later the lady came around and said that if we hadn’t been accessing the soup kitchen throughout the pandemic we would NOT be receiving a vaccination. I have stayed away from community meals despite having been a regular at several programs in the region because my fear of dying from Covid which is a very real possibility (I am the same age and have a similar medical history to the first person who died in Waterloo region as a result of COVID-19) than I am of going hungry. I’ve lost a substantial amount of weight during the pandemic because groceries have become MUCH more expensive and many things are out of my reach. I tried to reason with the lady and I was told that I would not be able to get vaccinated there. I left in tears and furious that essentially I was being told that I couldn’t get a vaccine because I had stayed home. I called back and spoke with someone explaining the situation AGAIN and I was told to come back to be vaccinated. Your frontline staff were right to send away folks who wouldn’t ever darken the doors of a soup kitchen save for the vaccine, like the entire upper middle class family who showed up decked out in designer duds. The RN involved said that her mission was to protect the most vulnerable population which apparently only means people of her choosing - common sense and WHO guidance is pretty clear- I definitely NEEDED the vaccine based on health status and the fact that I’m helping someone elderly and medically vulnerable on a daily basis. I will say that your frontline staff were absolutely WRONG to not listen and respond on a case...

St John's kitchen is staffed by outreach workers and volunteers. It's assist people in need of food assistance and clothing as well as toiletries you can take a shower do your laundry and get a hot meal. There are also workers that can help people get there identification replaced as well as doctors on various days.it is a great thing to see that sparkle of Hope in a person who is down on there luck when all of a sudden there handed a pair of warm dry boots as they kick off a pair of ripped and holey soal falling off ready for the garbage shoes off. No siree my feet gonna be...

The service here is phenominal.

Diverse menu options daily, with endless coffee, bread and live entertainment throughout the entire service.

Kitchen is open concept allowing the guest to experience the entire prep phase and there are staff available to meet your every need.

From morning coffee with complimentary paper, to lunch and even special holiday events, this is hands down the friendliest and most exciting kitchen in town.

Don't miss it, they are crazy busy and the is always a lineup for lunch, but you won't ever forget...