Capital CampaignGood Shepherd Lodge
Making your donation today will help us reach our goal of $1.8 million dollars which is needed to open The Good Shepherd Lodge. This building will provide transitional and emergency housing for those in need.
FundraisingThroughout the year The Inn runs various events which you can have fun whether participating or offering a gift to a cherished individual.
Food ProgramsNo one needs to go hungry. A daily meal is provided to anyone in need. Prepared and served by volunteers in the comfort of our large dinning room area.
For those who need food support at home a food bank is also available to families and individuals.
ShelterThe Inn operates several different Shelter programs that can assist families and individuals in need.
From our emergency shelter, to The Haven (youth emergency shelter), soon to be opened The Good Shepherds' Lodge transitional housing, and a rent/utility assistance program helping our community keep or find stable housing is only one of the many services we can provide.
Due to the economy, we are seeing many first time users at The Inn and a minimum 25% increase in need for all our programs:
Food Bank - an extra 500 people and 10,000 lbs of food each month for a total of 45,000 lbs of food to feed 2,200 people (900 of them children)
Soup Kitchen - we are now serving an average of over 100 meals a day (up from 80)
Housing Assistance - last month we helped 65 households stay housed and avoid eviction or utility shut-off. That's up from 45 households six months ago! Individuals and families are having to stay in shelter longer to find affordable housing.
Genesis is our start-up program which helps our clients obtain needed small household items and clothing at no cost. Genesis operates each Tuesday 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm in a separate room beside the Food Bank.
We anticipate the need for over 200 back-to-school kits this year. Kits are filled with essential school supplies such as paper, pens, binders and more!
Manley's Basics have partnered with The Inn to help make sure children are ready for school. There are pre-packaged kits for various grades. Purchase one at either Manley's locations and they will deliver it to the The Inn to be given to a family in need.
Purchased kits or any school supplies can also be dropped off at The Inn or our drop-off barrels at most grocery stores.
Please Mum - Children's Clothing Store is holding a Family & Friends Event - July 30 - August 2. In addition to some great sales they are holding a canned food drive for the Food Bank
Grower's Direct - annual Friendship Day is taking place August 20th. For a food or cash donation, receive a dozen roses to share with a dozen friends!
Keep up to date on the events happening at The Inn. All subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. We will never share your email with anyone for any reason.
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You may read our newsletter here . Program Service Hours
Monday to Friday
Food Bank 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Soup Kitchen 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday ONLY
Genesis open 12:30 - 2:30
Saturday & Sunday
Soup Kitchen open 4:30 - 5:30
Who we serve
The working poor, the unemployed and the homeless. Thousands come to us each year for a helping hand. It is only through the generosity of the community that we are able to give that helping hand.
Our Services
Through the generous support from community organizations, individuals, businesses and industries; The Inn of the Good Shepherd is able to make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families, plus improve the quality of life in our community by reaching out to friends and neighbors by offering the following services:
- a food bank
- a soup kitchen
- rent/utility assistance
- start-up program (Genesis)
- emergency shelter
- emergency shelter for Youth (The Haven)
- coming soon (Good Shepherds' Lodge)
Our Board of Directors
Hugh Brignell - Chair
Joe Cannon - Past Chair
Bob Evans - Secretary
John Beer - Treasurer
Farah Kurji, Tom Pearson, Reverend Jim Poelman, Terry Ashe, Brian Knott, Len Smit & Reverend Don Lockett
Myles Vanni - Executive Director
Contact Us
The Inn of the Good Shepherd is located at
115 John Street
{at the corner of John and Devine}
Sarnia, ON N7T2Z1
The Inn services phone: 519-344-1746
The Haven services phone: 519-336-5941
Email can be sent to:
theinn@theinn.sarnia.net
Our history
The Inn of the Good Shepherd is an Incorporated Charitable Organization and all donations are income tax deductible.
The Inn was started in 1981 by a group of people, centered in Saint John's Anglican Church, in Sarnia's south end, who became concerned with the growing need of the disadvantaged persons in this area.
In time they were joined by others, so that the Inn is now supported by many Protestant churches and Roman Catholic Parishes, as well as Service Groups, Individuals, Labour, Industry and Governments.