Esquimalt, B.C. community volunteer celebrates 75th birthday by providing hundreds of meals for others
Greg never expected to be spending periods during his retirement wondering whether to buy food or pay rent.
“It’s a tough decision,” the 75-year-old says. “Keeping yourself alive or keeping a roof over your head.”
So you can image how Greg felt when he was offered the choice to get a free, hot lunch at a nearby community kitchen.
“Coming here is a lifesaver for me,” he says.
After a few years of being a Rainbow Kitchen guest, Greg decided to become a volunteer.
“What’s the use of being a couch potato?” Greg smiles. “When there’s a place like this you can help out.”
Greg’s been volunteering for more than a decade now, doing everything from tidying up the driveway to picking up produce donations.
“He’s a 75-year-old volunteer that comes every day,” Patrick Johnstone smiles. The executive director of the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society says Greg’s enthusiasm is infectious. “There’s no stopping his motivation to help.”
Even on his birthday, Greg stopped by to volunteer over the lunch rush.
“It’s kind of hard to think about yourself when people are in need,” Greg explains.
It’s also hard to believe what Greg requested for his birthday.
He asked for the team to make his favourite meal of Salisbury steak, garlic-onion mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Plus an extra dessert.
“Oh yeah!” Greg says, mashing the potatoes. “It’s going to be good.”
But the thing is, the meals are not for Greg.
“He wants the community to feel loved,” Patrick says. “So he provides an entire meal to the community out of his pocket.”
Over the past two years, Greg saved what little he had so he could celebrate his day by serving about 400 others.
“It’s all his finances,” Patrick smiles. “It’s all his love and passion.”
Greg says his 75th birthday celebration has made his big heart feel overwhelmed, which is exactly what he’d hoped for. The best gifts you can receive, he smiles, are the most heartfelt ones you can give.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada outperformed most G10 countries during first two years of pandemic response: study
Canada handled key aspects of the COVID-19 response better in the first two years of the pandemic than most G10 countries, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Toronto, Unity Health Toronto and St. Michael's hospital.
G7 leaders confer with Zelenskyy, prep new aid for Ukraine
Leading economic powers conferred by video link with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday as they underscored their commitment to Ukraine for the long haul with plans to pursue a price cap on Russian oil, raise tariffs on Russian goods and impose other new sanctions.
Avalanche dethrone Lightning to win Stanley Cup for 3rd time
After years of playoff disappointments, the Colorado Avalanche are back atop hockey's mountain with a 2-1 Game 6 win against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning.
NASA launches first rocket from Australian space centre
NASA has successfully launched a rocket from Australia's remote Northern Territory, making history as the agency's first commercial spaceport launch outside the United States.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs receives lifetime honour at BET Awards
With a speech about his own inspirational dream for the Black community, Sean 'Diddy' Combs channelled the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. while accepting the BET Awards' highest honour Sunday night.
Canada pledges funds as G7 develops response to famine fallout from Russian invasion
Canada pledged $50 million to prevent Ukrainian grain from going to waste on Sunday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to work with G7 nations on further measures to halt the famine caused by the Russian invasion of the embattled country.
Connecting Indigenous inmates to their culture: Grand Chief performs at Manitoba prison
Behind prison walls, National Indigenous People's Day was celebrated this month, with inmates at a Manitoba federal prison granted access to music, drumming and sharing circles — positive steps forward to reconnect Indigenous inmates with their culture and rehabilitate a group that is incarcerated at a disproportionate rate.
Hundreds of thousands celebrate return of Toronto Pride parade to downtown streets
Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Toronto on Sunday as the city's Pride parade returned for the first time in two years.
Halifax scientists have a plan to capture carbon from the atmosphere using mining materials
A Dalhousie University team of scientists — in a joint venture with a company called Planetary Technologies — is now in the next phase of their research to use the power of the ocean to one day reduce the world’s carbon levels.
Vancouver
-
Paramedics urge caution as temperatures rise across Lower Mainland
While most of B.C. remains under a special weather statement as the summer's first hot weather rolls through, the advisory has been upgraded to a heat warning for the Lower Mainland.
-
Overturning of Roe v. Wade condemned at Vancouver rally
About a hundred people gathered in downtown Vancouver on Sunday afternoon denouncing the U.S. Supreme court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which secured constitutional protection for abortion rights in the country for nearly 50 years.
-
A heat warning is in effect and these Metro Vancouver cities have opened cooling centres
With a heat warning in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, several cities have opened up dedicated indoor cooling centres and outdoor cooling stations. We've compiled a list of what's available and where.
Edmonton
-
'Largest spiritual Indigenous gathering' to return during Pope's visit to Alberta
People are getting ready to return to Wakamne, God's Lake, on pilgrimage when the Pope visits Alberta.
-
Search continues for missing 13-year-old girl
The Edmonton Police Service is searching for a 13-year-old girl that was last seen Friday morning.
-
Changing lives, one puppy at a time: Dogs With Wings celebrates newest grad class
Twenty-five new service dogs and their families celebrated the achievement of graduating from Alberta's only internationally accredited assistance dog agency Sunday.
Toronto
-
Driver dead after car strikes pole in north Vaughan
A driver is dead after a vehicle struck a pole in the northern area of Vaughan early on Sunday night, local police say.
-
'Stay on trails:' Giant hogweed found near Evergreen Brickworks
Metrolinx is warning the public after Giant hogweed was recently found by some of its train tracks near Evergreen Brickworks.
-
Canada outperformed most G10 countries during first two years of pandemic response: study
Canada handled key aspects of the COVID-19 response better in the first two years of the pandemic than most G10 countries, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Toronto, Unity Health Toronto and St. Michael's hospital.
Calgary
-
'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
-
Shooting in southeast Calgary under investigation
Police are looking for suspects after they say a man was injured in a shooting late Saturday.
-
Skiing in the sun: Banff's Sunshine Village offered extended fun
If you are looking for some more time on the slopes even though it's already summer, you might be pleased by an opportunity at Banff Sunshine Village.
Montreal
-
Stepson arrested after stepfather stabbed and killed and three others injured in spree in Montreal
A man in crisis stabbed several people Sunday morning in downtown Montreal, leaving one dead and three injured.
-
Rent price explosion continues to accelerate in Quebec, regions more affected
Rental prices continue to soar in Quebec, and regions outside of major urban centres appear to be more affected, according to data compiled by the Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ).
-
Woman with multiple sclerosis struggles after apartment adaptations make life worse
Beverley Rothstein suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) and is struggling after the adaptations to her bathroom have made her situation worse and she may be evicted.
Atlantic
-
HMCS Kingston and Summerside set off for Operation Reassurance
As HMCS Kingston and Summerside pulled away from Halifax Harbour and deployed for Operation Reassurance, there was no shortage of emotion from family members who came to see them off.
-
'Reviewed for Privilege': Federal government explains N.S. superintendent’s missing notes
The inquiry into Nova Scotia’s 2020 mass shooting, says four pages of handwritten notes that sparked a political firestorm in Ottawa this week, weren’t immediately submitted when subpoenaed by its investigators.
-
'It’s in shambles': RCMP 'architects of own demise,' says criminologist after complaints in N.B. and N.S.
After a week of criticism and anger at the Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia, and outcry in a rural area of New Brunswick, there are questions about the RCMP’s role in community policing.
Winnipeg
-
High water levels and strong winds leading to flooding in Gimli
Residents in Gimli are dealing with overland flooding due to high water levels on Lake Winnipeg and strong winds.
-
'We can't believe it': Winnipeggers come together to throw surprise baby shower for new Ukrainian couple
A Winnipeg woman is making sure a couple from Ukraine is feeling right at home as they prepare to welcome their first child.
-
'In a crisis': Deaths of Indigenous women in Winnipeg spark calls for safe housing
Lori Ann Mancheese's death is now one of five women in the span of about a month being grieved by members of the province's Indigenous community. Winnipeg police say three of those women were murdered.
Kitchener
-
Encampment developments, field trips, new hospital: Top stories of the week
The latest developments for encampments in Waterloo Region, field trips being paid for, and a new hospital for the area round out the top stories of the week.
-
'COVID-19 lingers on': Essential caregiver warns pandemic not over
An essential caregiver in Waterloo Region is looking to remind the community that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and the protections in place for the most vulnerable may not be enough.
-
Arson from three years ago still under investigation in Long Point, Ont.
Norfolk County OPP are asking for the public's help with an arson case from three years ago.
Regina
-
Sask. NDP elects Carla Beck as first female leader of party
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party has elected Carla Beck as its new leader.
-
Here’s where you can fly on Swoop from Saskatchewan
The ‘ultra low fare’ carrier Swoop entered the Saskatchewan air travel market earlier in June and currently serves three domestic routes out of Regina and Saskatoon.
-
Philippine Association of Saskatchewan holds welcome ceremony for new residents
Several different communities gathered at the Core Ritche Neighbourhood Centre on Sunday to celebrate Welcome Kabayan. ‘Kabayan’ in Filipino means, ‘welcome fellow members of our community.’
Barrie
-
Barrie transit not returning to full operating schedule
City staff have notified council that transit won't return to full operation this year, frustrating several residents.
-
Midland library unveils new space made for teens, by teens
The Midland Public Library has unveiled a new space for teens to reach out to an age group that often loses touch with the local library.
-
Driver transported to hospital following collision in Tiny Township
Emergency crews were notified of the collision around 10:40 a.m. Sunday.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. NDP elects Carla Beck as first female leader of party
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party has elected Carla Beck as its new leader.
-
'After all these years': Christies Mayfair Bakery celebrates 90th anniversary
When Ennio Muzzolini walked into Christies Mayfair Bakery in 1965 interested in purchasing the small bakery on 33rd Street, he never imagined he’d one day be looking on as hundreds of people lined the block to get their hands on a baguette, cinnamon bun or wood-fired pizza.
-
Elk Ridge Open canceled after heavy rains: PGA Tour Canada
Organizers have decided to cancel the Elk Ridge Open due to an “inordinate amount of rain.”
Northern Ontario
-
Update
Update | Highway 17 reopened after several hours
OPP Tweet: Highway 17 closed at Sand Bay Road at the Spanish River bridge.
-
Shooting on Manitoulin Island
A person was taken to hospital after a shooting on the Sheguiandah First Nation on Manitoulin Island Friday.
-
Holistic Healing Fair returns to Sault Ste. Marie
The Holistic Healing Fair is back in Sault Ste. Marie following a two-year absence.