In the Beginning
Prior to the Dew Drop Inn being established, hungry people who came to St. Andrew’s rectory were given bagged lunches at the back door of the parish. As the number of people coming to the rectory began to increase, Sister Roberta Derochie, then a social worker for the parish, approached the pastor about the need to address this serious social reality within the community. She envisioned a warm, welcoming place where hungry men, women and children could come to eat with no questions asked. It was through Sister Roberta’s efforts, and that of the parish, St. Vincent de Paul Society, that her vision became a reality when St. Andrew’s Dew Drop Inn opened its doors on February 9th, 1981 in the former parish hall.
The Dew Drop Inn sincerely appreciates that St Andrews Church has provided a home for our compassion kitchen for 42 years. Today with the incredible support of the community the Dew Drop Inn continues to feed the hungry in Thunder Bay with no judgment and no questions asked. At the Dew Drop Inn we are firm believers that everyone deserves a good meal with dignified food access and dignified choices.