Thunder Bay's Grace Place offers food, friendship and second chances

Superior Morning6:38Grace Place Christmas

They are offering Christmas dinner, a smile and hope. We visit Grace Place on Simpson Street in Thunder Bay. They served a full turkey dinner to over 400 people in the city.

The pastor at Grace Place street mission in Thunder Bay said she has just two items on her Christmas wish list - a new roof, and a commercial kitchen.

The ministry bought the building at 235 Simpson Street in Thunder Bay in May, said pastor Melody Macsemchuk.

She said they're hoping to launch a fundraising campaign in the New Year to replace the roof.

The mission is already raising money to build a commercial kitchen in the facility, she said.

Nearly 500 people on Wednesday were served a full Christmas dinner, including turkey, ham and mashed potatoes which were all cooked on two old stoves, the size of what most people have in their homes.

A larger kitchen, with more up-to-date food preparation equipment will help them keep up with the growing demand for their services, said Macsemchuk.

"Grace Place does seek to be a community hub, to be there for families in need, and also for those that are finding themselves in hard times," said Macsemchuk.

Many of the people who visit Grace Place suffer from addiction and mental health issues, she said, adding many have also served time in prison and are serving community hours at the mission. 

"Grace Place is really a second chance, and a third chance, and a fourth chance, and however many chances it takes," she said.