The holiday season is often painted in hues of joy and festivity—bright lights wrapped around houses, families gathered around tables overflowing with delicious food and the warmth of togetherness filling the air. For many, it’s a time surrounded by family while embracing the blessings of the past year. However, for others, the holidays are a stark reminder of what is missing—warmth, love, and a place to call home.
While the rest of the world spins in a swirl of holiday cheer, there are countless individuals who slip through the cracks, hidden in plain sight. These are the individuals who sadly don’t have the luxury of safety, comfort or a hot meal. This is why, more than ever, the act of giving back becomes not just a gesture of goodwill but a lifeline.
One such place of compassion is Tiny Home Takeout at 56 Duke St. W. in Kitchener. The organization collaborates with St. Mary Our Lady of The Seven Sorrows Church, a sanctuary where the hungry are fed and the isolated discover a sense of belonging. Every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tiny Home Takeout serves freshly made hot dinners—free of charge—to anyone who needs it. The food is made from food donations given to the church or food that Tiny Home buys with monetary donations. This act in itself is infused with a powerful effort to bring a semblance of normalcy to lives ravaged by poverty, homelessness, and hardship, — offering nourishment to the body and soul.
I had the immense privilege of meeting with Todd, a regular guest of Tiny Home Takeout while outside serving food. Last year, Todd lived in a home that frequently donated to Tiny Home Takeout and would offer a kind word to those in need while passing through. But that was then —Today, Todd’s life has been upended in a way he could have never imagined. He sleeps under a bush, with no certainty about tomorrow.
For Todd, the cold, bitter reality of homelessness didn’t arrive as a gradual descent—it hit suddenly and without warning. He found himself on the street, relying on the very services he once supported. The one thing that anchors him now is the hot meals he receives from Tiny Home Takeout every night, a brief but essential moment of comfort in his otherwise uncertain world.
“I look forward to coming here every day, but it’s not only that, it’s the people.” Todd said, his voice laced with appreciativeness and hope. “There’s a lot of people in my situation, and the resources that Tiny Home provides are really great, and if we had more places like this, it would be wonderful.”
Todd’s story is a painful reminder that life can change in an instant. What seems stable today may vanish tomorrow, and we all must recognize the fragile thread that connects us to our stability. This is why we should never take our lives for granted nor judge anyone else for theirs. Before Todd became homeless, he didn’t have much, yet he still found the compassion to donate as often as he could. Now, Todd is in an unimaginable predicament and relies on the compassion of others.
Michelle Lanting, a worker at Tiny Home Takeout, echoes this sentiment when asked why she is so dedicated to the organization’s cause. “I’m motivated to work here because I know what it means to be able to help people—to serve people from all walks of life, but especially those who are struggling. It’s about treating them with dignity and respect and seeing them respond in such a positive way.” she said.
Volunteers like Lanting are the backbone of this initiative. She points out that while the need for help is great year-round, the holidays bring even more urgency to their work. As the months get colder and the rest of the world is engulfed in the warm embrace of their family, many struggle. According to a Maru Public Opinion poll, one in three Canadians experience loneliness during the holiday season due to the immense commercialization of the holidays, creating the expectation of nonstop joy. We need to combat that isolation by creating a place where people can feel like they belong.
“We’re creating a community here,” Lanting said. “We give people shelter; we give them food; but most of all, we give them dignity. That’s something that everyone deserves, no matter where they are in life.”
Many of the guests to Tiny Home Takeout, although appreciative of receiving a hot meal, go to feel a sense of connection. They go to see others who may be struggling as well as a reminder that they are not alone. Tiny Home Takeout is not simply a place to receive hot meals, but rather to receive a sense of belonging and importance. People of all ages, those with disabilities and single parents, all come together. As we reflect on the meaning of the holidays, it is essential to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Whether it’s donating your time and your resources or simply offering a kind word, there are countless ways to give back. The need is especially urgent during the winter months, when cold and isolation threaten to take away even the smallest glimmer of hope. Volunteering with Tiny Home is just one of the many Waterloo based organizations to give back at this holiday season, others include St. John’s kitchen, Kitchen Helper at Ray of Hope and The Salvation Army,
During the holiday season, think of people like Todd, who are surviving on the kindness of strangers, and of volunteers such as Lanting, whose work brings light to the darkest corners of our communities.
The holidays are represented with gift giving; however, it is crucial to remember that gift giving is not just about material presents to those you know. It’s about offering hope, comfort, and connecting with those who feel forgotten. Whether it’s through the work of organizations like Tiny Home Takeout or in our own small acts of kindness, we all have the power to make a difference. After all, the true meaning of the holidays is found not in what we receive but in what we give.
This holiday season, make sure to take a step toward those who need you most. Their journey may be difficult, but with your help, it doesn’t have to be walked alone.
