St. Francis Table honours volunteers for 20th anniversary

TORONTO - St. Francis Table celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In honour of the celebration it will hold an appreciation luncheon Feb. 12 for all schools and people who have volunteered with the organization.

The Capuchin-Franciscans Friars opened St. Francis Table on Christmas Day, 1987. Since then it has served close to 500,000 meals to people on the fringes of society. St. Francis Table serves a three-course restaurant-style meal to the poor in return for a $1 donation.

People of all ages and cultures, including the employed and unemployed, refugees and people living on the streets, are welcome.

St. Francis Table receives no government funding and relies completely on donations from individuals and groups.

St. Francis Table, located at 1322 Queen St. W. in Toronto's downtown Parkdale area, will hold the school appreciation luncheon from 12 noon to 2 p.m. for St. Basil's, St. Martin, De LaSalle, Fr. Bressani and all other schools that have volunteered for the organization.

St. Francis Table will also offer free meals on the 20th of each month during 2007 in celebration of the anniversary. Individuals and organizations can sponsor the meals for $150. The name of the sponsor will appear on the menu board or can be kept anonymous with each meal.

To wrap up the anniversary year, St. Francis Table will hold its annual Volunteer Appreciation gala on Dec. 8 before the Christmas Day rush, when volunteers will serve close to 300 meals.