The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board announced the launch of The Open Table, a new community meal initiative designed to cultivate dignity, compassion, and belonging.
The inaugural event will take place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Holy Family Parish in Hanover. The meal is in partnership with Sacred Heart High School’s Food/Nutrition class.
The Open Table is more than just a meal, it's a welcoming space where everyone is invited, with no exceptions. Whether individuals are navigating food insecurity, housing instability, loneliness, or simply seeking meaningful connection, they will find a place to be fed, filled, and seen.
"The Open Table is about more than hospitality, it's about radical belonging," stated Director of Education Karyn Bruneel.
The Open Table creates a shared environment where social and economic barriers are set aside.
"When we serve together and we sit and we share a meal together, we really understand what it means to be a community where absolutely everyone is welcome. And that when we say everyone, we don't mean you know just a subset of people that we actually mean, everyone, and so we wanted to create something where it was going to make it, you need, and get what you can," said Bruneel.
She added that it is a unique gathering where strangers can become neighbours, and where those often overlooked are not just included, but deeply valued. This initiative aims to bring together a diverse cross-section of the community, including students, elders, families, neighbours in need, and anyone seeking genuine human connection. It reflects a broader vision to foster inclusive spaces where healing, wellness, and human dignity can flourish, one meal at a time.
"This is just the beginning," adds Bruneel. "The Open Table is our foundational step toward a larger vision: where our spaces become beacons of hope and healing, actively supporting the well-being of our entire community."
The Open Table is made possible through the generous support of the Norm Bethune Trust Fund. Their dedication to community well-being and student growth ensures that every guest is welcomed with care and that participating students have invaluable opportunities to serve, learn, and take leadership roles.