Cape Breton outreach centre serves Easter meals

A community outreach centre in Cape Breton served up special Easter meals todayas part of an ongoing program to reach out to those in need.

Melvin Sangster, one of the directors of Harvest House, says whilefeeding the hungry is important at Easter, it's not the only time the centre helps.

"We don't only feed at Easter and we don't only feed on the holidays, we feed year-round.Easter is ... we want people to know that there is a God who loves them, there is a God who does care for them," Sangster said.

Harvest House offers a daily meal program at its North Sydney and Glace Bay locations.

It also provides shelter for 12 people in North Sydney.

Ruth Ward and Santanna Jocko turned to Harvest House in times of trouble in their lives.

They now volunteer at the Glace Bay centre.

Jocko said it's become a second home for her.

"They treat us like family and accept us for who we are," Jocko said. "I have been volunteering here for over two years and want to thank them for supporting and encouraging me through all of my troubles."

"I met these people in 2004I think they do a phenomenal job in the community," agreed Ward.

Volunteers and staff have been fundraising for their annual spring campaign for the past few months.

Sangster wasn't able to say how much money was raised but did say it's enough to feed hundreds of people.

The centre is going to launch another fundraiser in the summertime to try to purchase their Glace Bay building and convert the upstairs into a homeless shelter, Sangster said.

Sangster said as the need continues to grow, it's important that Harvest House is a welcoming place for people who need it.