The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy serves dinner to over 220 Ray of Hope community members
On May 29, 2025, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy faculty, staff and students prepared and served dinner at the Ray of Hope Community Centre for people experiencing houselessness and systemic barriers to acquiring meals in the community. Waterloo Pharmacy members prepared, cooked and served the meal.
“Connecting with our community through Ray of Hope is rewarding in a number of ways – recognizing and helping those in need while bonding with each other outside of work is important to foster relationships. This experience gives us all a new perspective, on what a privilege it is to have food on the table,” says Trenny Cook, administrative officer at the School.
The menu consisted of vegetarian white bean chili, garden salad, dinner buns and a fruit cup for dessert. Community members had the option to take their meal to go or stay at the centre for dinner.
This annual tradition for Waterloo Pharmacy is an important way to connect with our local community. Waterloo Pharmacy has been hosting this dinner since 2017. The School missed 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID pandemic where an effort was made to fundraise for the centre.
Ray of Hope offers a place for those who are experiencing houselessness and struggling with poverty. They provide hot meals, groceries, blankets, bathrooms, laundry facilities and serve the physical, relational and spiritual needs of the people in the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
Additionally, Waterloo Pharmacy is situated at the heart of downtown Kitchener and has annually served as a rest stop for the organization’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. Visit Ray of Hope Community Centre to learn more about their initiatives.