Muriel Carruthers thanked Cathy Ashby and Kristina McDermott for their informative presentation on the House of Lazarus and presented them with a copy of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry 1975-2007. From the left: CCMD Secretary Muriel Carruthers, HOL Executive Director Cathy Ashby, HOL Community Outreach Manager Kristina McDermott and CCMD President Anne Caza. Thompson Goddard Photo

MORRISBURG – The Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District (CCMD) held their November meeting at the Morrisburg Legion on Nov. 19.

Guest speakers for the evening were House of Lazarus Executive Director Cathy Ashby and Kristina McDermott Community Outreach Manager speaking on the topic “Building a community”.

Information on the House of Lazarus (HOL) website, located at www.hol.community, mentions this non-profit organization works with “the community to ensure that people have the basics of life.” This is achieved through a number of programs provided by HOL to their clients which include food banks, thrift stores, Dinner on the House, Neighbours Heping Neighbours and Operation Backpack to name only a few.

The Main office of HOL is located in Mountain, as is a food bank, furniture store and thrift store, with food cupboard and thrift store located in Ingleside. In Morrisburg there is a warming centre and community hub, with a community hub in Kemptville.

It was noted by Ashby how in 2023, food insecurity was experienced by one in seven households in 2023, and in 2025, “one in four households are food insecure.” She mentioned that 39% of their clients are on ODSP, with 24% of clients working, but not receiving a living wage. In Eastern Ontario a living wage is determined to be $22.20/hour, with the Ontario minimum wage is $17.60/hour. Many HOL clients work two or more part-time job due to a lack of available full-time jobs. It was explained 30%of visitors to the food bank “were going whole days without eating” or following the potato diet or pasta diet to make it to the end of the month.

The Warming Centre and Community Hub (WCCH) located in Morrisburg, is operated in partnership with St. James Anglican Church, and provides a location for people to have access to a multitude of resources and community support services as well as laundry and shower facilities, a warm place to rest and a meal to enjoy. It was noted the Community Hub serves people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, those who are isolated, seniors, individuals with mental health or addiction challenges, and people facing crises. “We connect people to resources, support, and community.” During September 2025 the number of visits to the WCCH was 249, in comparison to 107 visits in September 2024.

Kristina McDermott then asked for two volunteers to participate in “Fork in the Road” activity from Feed Ontario, with South Dundas Mayor Jason Broad and CCMD Director Judy Tessier participating. The activity provides a number of scenarios with choices for participants to make. The goal is to see if you are able to make it to the end of the month “in someone else’s shoes”. This activity was most information and provided many with an insight into the decisions which are made in order to reach the end of the month with available funds.

It was an enlightening presentation and provided an insight into the organization that provides hope to all people in our society.

The next meeting of the CCMD is scheduled for March 18, 2026, with the guest speaker Ryan Hreljac speaking on Ryan’s Well Foundation. More information on the CCMD is available at www.canadianclubmorrisburg.com, with more information on the House of Lazarus at www.hol.community.