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Lunch 10am-11:00am,
Supper 5:00pm-6:00pm

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Thanksgiving Meal at the Hotel Halifax is Monday, October 23rd, 2023

Hope Cottage is pleased to announce our 16th Annual HOTEL HALIFAX Thanksgiving Meal for Hope Cottage is on Monday evening, October 23rd, 2023. Reception and begin Silent Auction at 5:30pm. Dinner and Live Auction begins at 6:30pm.

Click here to purchase tickets online: https://www.hopecottage.ca/donate/thanksgivingdinner/

50 Years:

Hope Cottage was started by Fr. Joe Mills on July 1, 1970. Fr. Mills, who was pastor of St. Patrick’s at the time, noticed a growing number of homeless people, mostly men, knocking on his door for food and assistance. There were no soup kitchens in Halifax at the time that catered to the needs of people during the weekdays. Fr. Mills called a number of women asking them to prepare a meal which they would serve to the men. 34 people showed up on the first day.

Since then, this organization has grown into an institution which is entrenched in the social fabric of Halifax. It is most probably that when Father Mills started Hope Cottage, he expected (or maybe hoped) that this would be a short term solution to a temporary problem. Now here we stand, in our 50th year of operation!

Hope Cottage, along with the Board, the Friends of Hope Cottage, are proud of the relationships we have built in the community over the years. And humbled by the generosity of our community that always steps up!Hope receives no government funding, all funds to run our operations are raised through donations, fundraisers, sponsorships and our church groups who usually donate and serve the evening meal.

Thank you on behalf of our clients, our staff, our volunteers and the Friends!

Looking for donation ideas to give Hope Cottage and its clients a helping hand this year? Here are a few:

We always appreciate coffee, miracle whip, sugar packets, can meats for sandwiches, fold lock sandwich bags, small chickens, hamburger, stew beef for homemade soups.

Gifts – hats, gloves, scarf’s, deodorant for men and women, shaving cream, razors, and socks.

Everything is greatly appreciated. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter. Links are at the top and bottom of the page.

Father Joe Mills

Welcome to Hope Cottage

Hope Cottage is a charitable organization whose mission is to provide meals to those who cannot afford to obtain these meals themselves. Since its inception, in July 1970, Hope Cottage has grown into a Halifax institution feeding over 200 meals a day – Monday to Friday. Meals are served twice per day at 10am and 5pm. There have been over 2 million complimentary meals to date with all support coming from the community and zero dollars from any level of government.

Hope Cottage continues to be self sufficient with all revenues coming from unsolicited donations from individuals, community groups and organizations. No Gov’t funds are received by Hope Cottage. Hope Cottage was originally financed by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul but today relies totally on donations. The annual operating budget is approx. $300,000. Although there are 3 full time staff members, Hope Cottage relies on the assistance of numerous volunteers to help prepare and serve the meals. We also have the support of a number of local hotels, businesses, community groups and organizations who volunteer their time by preparing and providing meals on an ongoing basis.

We can seat about 90 people at a time and the meals all go smoothly. We have never run out of food.

As well as financial assistance we are always happy to accept donations of food, canned goods, coffee, tea etc. We regularly receive left overs from social events, weddings and other occasions which are welcomed and quickly consumed.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may do so using the link provided, or you may come to Hope Cottage at 2435 Brunswick St. between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Food donations can be dropped off there as well. Feel free to contact the office us at 429-7968.