Every day, Bill Graham, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council 12706 in Mississauga, Ontario, can be found distributing food to the hungry in his community, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Toronto. Accompanied by his wife, Shirley, and often brother Knights and other volunteers, Graham replenishes several tables set up around the city with food and other supplies. People stop at the tables to grab a meal, a bottle of water or a blanket — whatever they need to make it through the day.
The initiative began five years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic became a global health crisis. Bill and Shirley, who were previously involved in a homeless ministry, watched as the lockdowns devastated their low-income and jobless neighbors, leaving many without food or even shelter.
“They were forgotten, they were invisible to society, and they knew it,” Bill Graham said. “As Knights, we must leave no neighbor behind.”
With support from Council 12706, the couple established a ministry to meet the needs they saw, organizing free outdoor food distributions points in the city. In March 2020 they started their first free food table, loaded with sandwiches, treats and water. Since then, the tables have been refilled daily, with Graham never missing a day — the one exception being a few days every year when he participates in another volunteer commitment. In his brief absence, the tables continue to be filled by other volunteers.
As the Grahams started more food tables in Mississauga, brother Knights began volunteering throughout the week to sort food and stock the tables. About 30-40% of the tables’ visitors are homeless, and many more are struggling during difficult economic times.
“Many people are making the tough decision between paying for a roof over their head or paying for groceries,” said Past Grand Knight Denzil Noronha, a regular volunteer.
Noronha said the initiative has opened the eyes of council members to the need around them in their community. Since COVID, homelessness in Toronto and its suburbs, including Mississauga, has become more visible with the rise of encampments in public parks.
“It’s easy to go around with blinders on and not see what’s going on around us,” Noronha said. “For our council, it’s been an important initiative — to follow the Gospel teaching about helping our fellow mankind in need, to be generous with what God has given to us.”
Thanks to donations from food banks, community members and Council 12706, which has continued to provide donations and organize food drives in support, the initiative continues to thrive five years later.
The initiative now includes five daily food distribution points in Mississauga, from where as much as 15,000 pounds of food and supplies are given to about 2,000 people each month. They also fill food drop boxes at two local churches at least once a week.
Some days, Graham shows up to find the tables already filled, with groceries, baby supplies, pet food and more. Volunteers also show up with toothpaste, blankets and sleeping bags to give away.
“I’m humbled by the help that we are receiving,” Graham said. “Someday, these tables may be completely self-sufficient.”
Left unmanned throughout the day, the tables are usually empty within two or three hours and Graham stops in throughout the day to restock.
He spends an average of two hours at the tables each day and has come to know the regulars over the years, counting them among his friends. “Some people we see once a week. I don’t know them by name, I don’t need to. We’re friends and that’s what matters,” he said.
Inspired by the program’s success, others have followed his example and established more food tables in Mississauga and neighboring cities.
For Graham, it’s all about drawing closer to Christ by serving him in the poor and one another, and he hopes that other councils will bring the initiative to their own communities.
“It’s a great opportunity for the council because it gets the members working and helping other people,” he said. “It changes people’s lives, it changes how we view the homeless. As Knights, we seek to relieve suffering for love alone, without thinking of any reward or advantage for ourselves.”