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
One dead after potential wrong way crash on Highway 401 in Milton: OPP
One person is dead and another is in life-threatening condition after a driver was travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Milton Sunday, according to police.
Hamas says latest ceasefire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after "in-depth and serious discussions,"{ the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected.
B.C. man wants homes for thousands of books he soon won't be able to read
In the 10 years since John William started to lose his vision, he's been finding new ways to enjoy his vast personal library.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc insists
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
'The Fall Guy' gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a US$28.5M opening
"The Fall Guy," the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with US$28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that's very much to be determined for Hollywood.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.