���߲ݴ�ý

Kevin Coghill, pastor and executive director at the Royal City Mission, said he is grateful for the support, and this funding for daily services will make a big difference.

“This is a Christmas gift to the community,” Coghill said. “We had to move very quickly, but we wanted to be open the week of Christmas because it is a week where everything is shut down.”

He said the mission and its staff plan to do their best even if they are a bit shorthanded to start.

“Volunteers are excited,” he said. “People are calling regularly and sending donations. It’s going to be a good week for people to be cared for and out of the cold.”

Coghill said ���߲ݴ�ýis a very giving community and they have individuals and groups sharing with them, donating and bringing items to the Royal City Mission often. Even receiving donations from people will be easier now that they are open every day.

“It’s amazing how much comes in,” said Coghill. “I love the story from last Christmas. We had no turkeys, and I think it was the week before Christmas, we put it out that we needed turkeys and we got 61.”

The programs had been cut back due to lack of funding earlier this year, shut down two days per week. Changes have been coming yearly if not seasonally for the Royal City Mission, but Coghill said the need for their services keeps growing.

Also, upkeep for the church itself is crucial to the work they do. Coghill said they recently received grant funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to install a new boiler system, helping ensure they have a warm and welcoming environment.

Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and supper at 6 p.m., but there’s always coffee brewing and friends to see and chat with at the Royal City Mission. For more information about programs and services, or to donate, visit .