St. John's Kitchen is a thriving community of hundreds of people who work together for a common goal: the redistribution of food that would have been otherwise wasted. Most of the work of St. John's - the preparing of meals, the distribution of food and looking after others, lies outside of the economy and completely within the community. This unique model allows people to measure goodness in themselves and each other without monetary influence. A place where time is not money.

Links: How to Reach Us

With a limited staff, the Kitchen operates with the abilities of approximately 100 volunteers, 80% of whom are also patrons. People are thus able to apply their skills and continue productive work when they find themselves out of the paid workforce.

St. John's Kitchen, located at 97 Victoria Street North in downtown Kitchener, is a gathering place within a neighbourhood. Kitchen equipment and food is made available in order that many people from all walks of life can work cooperatively in the true sense of a direct democracy, building trust, respect and friendships along the journey.

Seven Main Services of St. John's Kitchen

1. Drop-in from 8:00am - 2:00pm
   While St. John's Kitchen provides daily meal service, it is also a drop-in centre used by over 100 people before the meal each day.
   Breakfast of bread, peanut butter, jam, cheese, muffins, donuts, bagels and coffee is available each day in conjunction with the drop-in.
2. Hot Lunch
   A main hot lunch meal serves up to 300 people five days a week. These meals consist of donated and surplus food that is turned into salads, soups, vegetable and vegetarian dishes, meat dishes, sandwiches, desserts and coffee.
3. Marketplace
   A marketplace with food items for people to take home to prepare. This food comes through the Foodbank of Waterloo Region, Second Harvest program. We bring food in and prepare it for distribution.
4. Downtown Street Outreach
   Downtown Street Outreach supports over 300 individuals per year providing immediate crisis support in the downtown, assisting the homeless, those with mental health problems, and those with addictions, reducing frustration and solving immediate challenges.
5. Psychiatric Outreach Project
   Works with up to 120 people per month, provides a patient-centred, community-based approach to helping individuals experiencing mental health problems.
6. Showers and laundry facilities
   St. John’s Kitchen provides free access to showering and laundry facilities for the homeless and those at risk.
7. Job Café
   This project provides people with part-time, casual work opportunities. Job Café is an essential first link to assist individuals with hundreds of work opportunities. Job Café provides income enhancement and a way to participate in a broader network of community involvement.