Theatre with a Meal

Theatre with a Meal was started in April of 2016 as a group that met on Sunday evenings. We advertised at local soup kitchens and drop-in centres. After a few months we had 8-10 people attending, and the opportunity to put on “Theatre with a Meal” presented itself. We have been serving an average of 60 people a week since July of 2016.

The initial idea was to offer the theatre experience to people who might not otherwise have an opportunity because of social or financial constraints.

This idea was inspired from my own experiences. From 2002 – 2007 I struggled with mental health issues and became a soup kitchen patron. After getting some solid ground under my feet, I began volunteering, as I had made many friends on both sides within this network – those who benefited from the services, and those who served in them. I found myself volunteering for the dinner service at Martha’s Table four or five nights a week, and realized that many of the people using these services struggle with mental health issues, physical disabilities, and addiction.

Eventually, I moved on, and later auditioned for a musical (something from my bucket list). The theatre experience was therapeutic to me – I was finding my voice, which boosted my self-esteem, and was having a blast at the same time. I wanted to share the fun and benefits.

Four years later, I approached The Next Church with the proposal for Theatre with a Meal. Today, our actor base is 12 people strong, showing up week after week to write, rehearse, and perform. Some come just once, or periodically to be in the show.

Although next church has continued offering a meal and entertainment Theatre with a meal has moved on as an troupe to take theatre on the road, serving soup kitchens across Ontario.

Theatre with a Meal has joined forces with AlinkA Farm near Westport, providing accommodation and lifestyle activities in addition to the opportunity to practice and perform theatre for invited audiences. The Farm is being returned to an active agricultural operation and includes a community garden and other community outreach activities.

AlinkA Farm is owned by AlinkA Group which was initiated by Molly Li YaJing in response to her spiritual calling to create harmony and take care of the needs of others in a natural setting providing spiritual restoration. AlinkA Farm provides programs and activities to meet these objectives, and opens it facilities to others serving those in need.

AlinkA Group also operates a Children's Center in China, providing meaningful activities, support and training for autistic children and their families.