Meal program looking for new home after receiving notice from church

St. George's Cathedral says Lunch by George program has outgrown their facilities.

A local organization that serves meals to the homeless could find themselves out on the street.

Officials with St. George's Cathedral informed Outreach St. George's Kingston (OSGK) last week that they won't be extending their licensing agreement them to operate Lunch by George and will need to vacate the premesis as of July 2026.
 
OSGK oversees the Lunch by George program that is has been operating out of the cathedral on King St. since 1985. 

The Dean of the cathedral, the Very Reverend Douglas Michael, says there have been a number of security challenges that he feels the church is not able to address.

Michael says the program has gotten so big that it has outgrown the church.

In a statement, OSGK says their relationship with the cathedral has been fraught with problems over the last few years. They say most of the fears that officials with the church have is the people they are serving.

Treasurer and director David Gibson says there has been an increase in the number of people who use their service.

OSGK says they respect the decision by the cathedral. In the meantime, they will continue to serve breakfast and lunch every weekday from their pick up window.

Gibson says they would like to find an ideal spot as soon as possible in order to continue with their program.

Story by Ken Hashizume