Shabbat Candlelight Table

Shabbat Candlelight Table- Community Meals for Albertans in Need

Over the past six months, we have piloted the Shabbat Candlelight Dinner in collaboration with Chabad of Edmonton, providing kosher meals to Albertans experiencing food insecurity and social isolation. The pilot engaged women, girls, seniors, youth, and families, creating a safe and welcoming environment that fosters connection, inclusion, and community pride. Volunteers reported meaningful engagement, and participants expressed deep appreciation for both nourishment and social interaction.

This proposal requests $10,000 to expand the program in 2026, serving 50 people per meal for 28 meals (~1,400 meals annually). Meals are fully inclusive, available to any Albertan in need, regardless of faith, age, or background. While rooted in the Shabbat tradition, the program focuses on food security, community connection, and social inclusion, not religious participation.

The program builds a ripple effect of community engagement: seniors mentor youth, youth help with meal preparation and distribution, and all volunteers contribute to fostering empathy, leadership skills, and intergenerational collaboration.

Measurable outcomes include:

• Number of meals served (50 per meal × 28 meals)

• Participant demographics tracked to ensure inclusivity (women, girls, seniors, youth, families)

• Volunteer hours and engagement

• Participant satisfaction and social connection feedback

The Shabbat Candlelight Dinner is scalable and replicable, addressing multiple community needs: alleviating hunger, reducing isolation, and promoting volunteerism. By combining nourishment, mentorship, and inclusivity, this program ensures that all Albertans in need have access to wholesome food, dignity, and meaningful community connection.

The Shabbat Candlelight Dinner supports Albertans facing food insecurity or social isolation, serving up to 50 people per meal for 28 meals. Beneficiaries include women, girls, seniors, youth, families, and individuals from all backgrounds, creating an inclusive, welcoming space. Participants receive nutritious kosher meals while building social connections. Seniors mentor youth, youth gain leadership experience, and all volunteers contribute to a ripple effect of community engagement. Families and isolated individuals benefit from both nourishment and community support. By addressing hunger, reducing isolation, and fostering intergenerational collaboration, the program ensures a broad, measurable, and meaningful impact on Albertans in need.