Last night, members of Lakehead Rotary gathered at Shelter House in Thunder Bay to serve a warm, nourishing meal to people in our city who are facing hard times. Together, they prepared chicken burgers, roasted potatoes, fresh vegetables, and homemade Rice Krispie squares — simple foods, but ones that brought comfort and community around the table.
Thunder Bay, like many Canadian communities, continues to grapple with housing instability and food insecurity. Recent local counts identified hundreds of people experiencing homelessness in the city, including those staying in shelters, transitional housing, encampments, or couch surfing — a number that has grown noticeably in recent years. A point-in-time survey in 2025 found at least 652 people without stable housing in Thunder Bay, the highest total recorded to date.
The need for accessible food and support services is also real. Food programs in the region report steady increases in demand, with local food banks serving more households than before and community food security efforts working to reach those who struggle to put meals on the table. Shelter House, Thunder Bay’s only low-barrier shelter, provides meals, basic necessities, and a safer place to land for people living with poverty and housing challenges. In 2024 alone, the shelter served more than 126,000 meals and helped dozens of people transition into stable housing — and much of that work happens thanks to volunteers and community partners stepping up alongside frontline staff.
In a place like Thunder Bay, Rotary’s values of service above self, fellowship, and respect for others find everyday meaning. It’s about showing up with a warm plate and even warmer conversation, acknowledging that the fabric of our city is strongest when everyone is cared for. Sharing a meal, exchanging a smile, and spending time together might seem like small gestures, but they are part of completing another piece of the ongoing community puzzle — building connection, support, and dignity, one evening at a time.