In April 1968, the doors of Murray Street Baptist Church opened to a new kind of congregation—not one gathered for worship, but for service. Meals on Wheels had been operating for four years, but until then, it had no true home base. That changed when the church offered a room in its basement, transforming it into the beating heart of the program.
For the next 15 years, the sounds of clattering trays and warm conversation filled the church kitchen as volunteers from the Mary Haddow Mission Circle prepared meals for delivery. It was more than a practical service; it was an act of kindness, carried out with quiet devotion. In the early years, churches like Murray Street Baptist played a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers, rallying their congregations to give both their time and their resources. Through them, the mission of Meals on Wheels was not just sustained but strengthened.
Even after the program moved to a new home in the Queen Alexandra Centre in 1983, the church’s spirit of generosity endured. Decades later, Murray Street Baptist Church remains deeply engaged in community outreach, from food security initiatives to programs for vulnerable populations. The same values that made them an early champion of Meals on Wheels continue to shape their work today.
The legacy of that partnership is undeniable. What began in a church basement is now a thriving service that brings nourishment and connection to hundreds of people every day. But at its core, the mission remains unchanged: neighbors caring for neighbors, just as they always have.
