“Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally” (Mosiah 4:26) are exactly the types of service that are offered to those who seek assistance from the Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty in Oshawa, Ontario. The Oshawa Ontario Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated much-needed new clothing, sleeping bags and other resources to assist the Back Door Mission’s efforts to relieve poverty in the Durham Region.
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After several conversations with Eduardo Flores, community development co-ordinator at the Back Door Mission, to determine their needs, Lisa Whitsitt, Oshawa Ontario Stake Communication director, took the list of needed items to her local church leadership. Permission was received and funds from Church headquarters were sent to the stake to purchase the needed resources locally.
Oshawa Ontario Stake President Alex Walcer said, “We are very pleased to be partners with Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty as we work collectively to support and strengthen our community. They share our drive and commitment to provide for those in need, and they do such a fantastic job of addressing those needs one by one. We are thrilled to be able to supply these essential resources to them so that many more needs may be met daily through their sincere efforts.”
The Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty is a non-profit organization that provides wraparound support services to those experiencing housing insecurity, mental health or addiction concerns, and food access challenges. Approximately 170 to 210 individuals receive a meal, clothing, food pantry items and health services from the Back Door Mission each day.
Flores commented, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has consistently demonstrated what it means to care for the community. The donations and other support that they provide the Back Door Mission are given with careful thought and consideration to the needs of the community that we serve.”
Several Church members volunteer weekly at the Back Door Mission. Whitsitt and her son, Steven, love helping to prepare food in the kitchen for the daily meal service.
“I enjoy getting to know other volunteers, and it is fun working with them in the kitchen. It feels good to be able to give service. It makes me happy to help those in need,” Steven said.
“The Back Door Mission is truly a remarkable place where those experiencing housing and food insecurity can feel kindness and care from the community,” Lisa said. “It is an honour to volunteer there. I feel that each volunteer’s efforts are an example of the type of service that Jesus Christ gave in offering kindness and love to all. As followers of Jesus Christ, our church is grateful to partner with the Back Door Mission as they provide these wonderful services in the Oshawa area.”
Contributed by Lisa Whitsitt, Communication director, Oshawa Ontario Stake