By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With the rising cost of living, programs like North BurLINKton, which provides community meals every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church’s gym at 6 p.m., have become a staple in the community. The program began long before the recent rise in the cost of living, aiming to build a sense of community in north Burlington through the sharing of a meal.
The number of volunteers usually ranges from 20 to 30, preparing food, setting up before the meal, and cleaning up afterwards. Of course, during COVID, it was entirely different. North BurLINKton and other food shelters offered meal-to-go programs, where people could pick up bagged food during set time frames. Now, settling back into in-person volunteering has brought back that community spark.
That spark has existed for around 15 years, with North BurLINKton continuing to grow with every dinner offered. It is entirely volunteer-run, from the food to the setup and the overall planning. Volunteers are recognized as a central part of each meal, consistently showing up for the community and bringing energy to every role.
Of course, the food takes centre stage. The meals vary, and menus are posted to their Instagram and Facebook accounts, always including a salad and dessert bar, with special menus posted for holidays. Mains include vegetarian and meat options; for instance, a recent Earth Day menu offered beef or lentil shepherd’s pie, alongside coleslaw and a spinach berry salad. Both the menus and the organization itself depend on donations of canned food and care packages.
North BurLINKton volunteer coordinator Shaz Wall breaks down the process in the interview below.
How did North BurLINKton get started?
It started with a conversation. Community Development Halton was asset-mapping the region and brought Burlington neighbours together for a town hall at Grace United Church. The dialogue centred on how to better gather neighbours north of the QEW, and that spark led to what we now call North BurLINKton. Today, we are a grassroots collection of community members and organizations working together to build strong, healthy, and connected neighbourhoods.
There’s sometimes a perception that community meal programs operate a bit under the radar. How would you describe North BurLINKton?
We prefer the term “grassroots.” Our mission is to create inclusive and friendly neighbourhoods that help people connect and increase their sense of belonging. As one of Burlington’s two public community dinner programs, we aren’t about being hidden — we’re about being the most welcoming table in town.
Can you walk me through how the program operates — volunteers, food planning, and partnerships?
We operate through the power of amazing partnerships! Food for Life, FeedHalton, and the Burlington Food Bank provide high-quality, fresh ingredients that we turn into nutritious, community-style meals. Our crew is actually the community itself; we have a rotating team of volunteers from local service groups like Rotary, Lions, and T.R.A.C.K. Youth working alongside more than 200 neighbours on our mailing list. Glad Tidings has been an incredible partner, providing not just a large dining space but a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. We’re always looking to connect with more neighbours.
How have rising grocery prices affected your supply and operations?
Things are tight for so many folks right now. To adapt, our kitchen team is very strategic; they pick up food donations from our partners and design the menu based on what is available. This “logic and art” approach allows us to focus our modest budget on fresh items with a shorter shelf life, like soft produce. Despite rising costs, we ensure every meal includes a salad bar, plant and animal proteins, gluten-free options, and even a sweet treat buffet.
What has community support looked like so far?
Community support is what keeps the dishes full! We have an open donation box where cash goes directly into our grocery budget. Because all our leaders and managers are volunteers, there are no administrative fees — 100% of donated funds go toward the food. We are so thankful for the neighbours who pop in a few dollars from week to week. Beyond money, support looks like volunteers sitting down to enjoy a meal with someone new. Those personal connections are the real heart of what we are building.
What kind of support does North BurLINKton need most right now?
Financial donations are our greatest need, so we can continue purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables; these can be made in person at our meals. Additionally, we are always looking for people to volunteer just once a month. We often struggle to fill roles during July and August, so summer help is especially appreciated.
To join the volunteer mailing list, email northburlinkton@gmail.com, or find out more at @NorthBurLINKton on social media.
