The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission’s was founded by Pat and Andy Gervais in 1994.

Prior to the establishment of our current facility, Pat and Andy’s home served as the Mission’s base where they prepared countless meals and personally delivered them to those in need in our community.

As the need grew, so did the need for a larger facility. After two years of serving from their home, they began preparing and serving meals from the Scout’s Hall located at the corners of Simcoe and Victoria in Amherstburg.

On February 12, 1999 the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission became incorporated and established a board of directors and by-laws.

Still a permanent separate facility was needed and the pursuit of a home of its own was under way. In December 2001, the dream of Andy, Pat, and other board members was realized when our current facility was established, and the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission was born.  This new facility made it possible to serve our community in a greater capacity, connecting people with services with compassion.

Highlights

The proceeds from a majority of our fundraising events are used to generate money to purchase food and cover ongoing operating expenses at the Mission.  Without the generous support of individuals & suppliers in the community and many successful fundraising events, we would be unable to carry out much needed upgrades.

1994 – Preparation of meals begins from the home of Andy and Pat Gervais, founders of the Mission.

1996 – Began serving hot lunches from the Scout Hall once weekly.
– Volunteers deliver an average of 15-20 meals daily.
– Local stores begin to donate.

1998 – The search for a permanent home for the Mission begins.
– Fundraising for the building under way.

1999 – The Baby Food Program begins.
– C.A.W. (Canadian Auto Workers) donates $15,000.
– Concord Mould donates $10,000.
– $60,000 is raised through fundraising efforts.
– The Town of Amherstburg sells a parcel of land to the Mission for $1.00.
– The Mission becomes an incorporated charity.

2001 – Construction begins on the Mission’s 2700 square ft. building.
– Casino Windsor donates $10,000.
– Opening day of the new Mission facility December 17, 2001!

2003 – The Mission’s mortgage is paid off!

2009 – 2010
– Painted the Mission
– Installed Walk-in Freezer
– Storage area built on with new storage shelving
– Office completely remodeled (gently used items donated)
– Kitchen completely reorganized (new pots, pans, dishes, cutlery)
– New dining room furniture installed
– New window coverings

2011 – Installed a new floor in Mission 
– New computers, screens & speakers
– Special air conditioning installed in kitchen area
– New office furniture
– Additional shed at rear of building
– New BBQ The front page never looked better

2012 – Improved our exterior gardens
– Replaced all of our dishes, cutlery, pots & pans, etc.
– Added another storage shed at the rear of the Mission

2013 – New furniture at entrance
– New cupboards built for storage over both closets   

2014 -Improvements to exterior landscaping
– new cupboards built in kitchen for pots & pans

2015 – Generous anonymous donation allowed us to purchase all NEW kitchen equipment

2016 – Donation of new, custom built office furniture

2017 – Painted and refreshed the front entrance as well as all doors

2018 – Worked on lawns, gardens and improved seating area at the back of our property

2019 – Purchased 100 “much needed” new chairs for the dining area.

2020 – 2021 – COVID 19 changed everything at the Mission.  All fundraisers ceased and we had to adopt new safety practices including social distancing, masks and gloves.  We were closed to the public but our volunteers continued to work and continued to serve hot takeout meals and food baskets, to those in need, out of the Mission parking lot.

2022 – Ontario allowed establishments to reopen and eventually lifted the mask requirement.  The Mission reopened the facility and returned to in person service.  We were able to update our kitchen with new appliances and refurbished cabinets.

2023 – The Mission fundraisers and regular programs were reinstated.  2 sheds were purchased and erected to provide much needed storage.