At the end of 2023, two retired Comox Valley residents got together and tinkered about ways to support the region鈥檚 growing unhoused population.

Ann Zanbilowicz and Dorothy McGinn recognized that they couldn鈥檛 single-handedly solve the issues of housing, addiction, or the lack of services. However, they believed they could alleviate some of the pressure felt by many.

鈥淒orothy and I鈥� had both gone by (the Connect Centre) and seen all the homeless people. We wanted to do something,鈥� Zanbilowicz said. 鈥淚t just feels so wrong that people were starving in the Comox Valley when most of us had so much.鈥�

鈥淲e cannot be indifferent. We have homes, warm beds and food. Surely we can provide for those who don鈥檛 have resources. We found the money to pay for COVID and to fund foreign wars. Why can鈥檛 we find the money to provide appropriate services for those in need?鈥�

The two ladies ultimately concluded that providing meals to the unhoused would be the most effective approach.

Uncertain at first how to bring this idea to life, McGinn proposed the Meal Train - a free online service designed to facilitate the co-ordination of meal distributions.

After , the retirees pitched their idea to the community through a Facebook post, hoping to find some who would be willing to lend a hand.

鈥淭he response was so great that we quickly were able to expand the program and have a hot dish and a dessert at lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,鈥� said McGinn.

With more than 30 participants from across the Valley, volunteers are preparing and donating meals, along with providing essential everyday items such as personal care products, blankets, rubber boots, and coats to Courtenay鈥檚 Connect Centre.

Mario Palmas, a staff member at the Connect Centre, has witnessed the positive impact of this initiative.

鈥淣ot only has it been a big blessing for the Connect Centre staff to be able to provide warm lunches for the clients, but it has also brought lots of love and smiles from the clients,鈥� Palmas said.

鈥淲hen you have this beautiful freshly made lasagna or a lovely casserole getting dropped off, it鈥檚 something that would not be provided without their help.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just incredible to see how thankful the clients are for them providing that service. They鈥檝e honestly gone above and beyond with their generosity and their time.鈥�

Samuel, a client at the Connect Centre, was quietly enjoying his meal on a Monday afternoon when he shared how grateful he was for having access to such a service.

鈥淭he food is really good, (and) it鈥檚 healthy. (We feel like) we鈥檙e being taken care of and we know that a lot of it has to do with the community - which we are very grateful for,鈥� said the man. 鈥淚鈥檝e been in a community where there鈥檚 nothing or you get old food, but this is fresh.鈥�

Despite feeding lunches to an average of 25 people three times a week, Zanbilowicz and McGinn seek additional volunteers to expand the reach of their initiative.

鈥淧eople (just have to) log into the site, open the calendar, choose a date and indicate what they are going to make. We provide instructions for where and how to deliver the food,鈥� said McGinn.

Feeling powerless at times, Zanbilowicz remains optimistic that a little act of kindness from a single individual can go a long way.

鈥淚t seems like we鈥檙e doing so little, but at least it鈥檚 something. We鈥檙e not politicians and we鈥檙e not fundraisers. We鈥檙e not in a position to do anything about homelessness or drug addiction. (But what we can do is) contribute in some small ways.鈥�

To participate or have more information about the Meal Train, visit .