The Community

As disciples of Christ we are called to contribute our gifts and resources in our community.

Chalmers Community Service Centre (CCSC) provides food, clothing and household items at two different locations in Guelph, Chalmers Downtown (41 Macdonell St. and Chalmers West (577 Willow Rd.). Knox supports them in this service by collecting food donations monthly.

Please consider donating using clothing to Chalmers Community Service Centre. These locations also provide clothing to those in need in our community: The Guelph Food Bank (100 Crimea Street), Clothing Closet, New Life Church (400 Victoria Rd. N.).

Chalmers Vision: A world without poverty, where communities are flourishing with dignity, equality and food security for all.

Thank you to all who continue to generously give to this program.

Each month Chalmers advises Knox about the item(s) that they would like us to collect.

To learn more about Chalmers Community Services Centre (CCSC), please visit their website.

http://chalmerscentre.ca

Please consider donating by clicking the Chalmers website above.

Chalmers thanks their Church Partners for their ongoing support.

Give to Guelph

One of the ways Knox supports the work of Chalmers is through our Give to Guelph initiative. On the third Sunday of each month, the congregation is invited to donate items identified by Chalmers as most needed.

In 2023, Knox renewed its commitment to Chalmers through “Give to Guelph”, responding to the growing needs within our community. As of December 2025, our congregation has donated 4,447 lbs of food and essential items since April 2023!! Thank you for your continued generosity—every contribution truly makes a difference.

Chalmers has shared this message of appreciation: "We are so grateful for your ongoing support. Your generosity directly helps Chalmers to continue our mission of creating a more equitable, food-secure community."

Focus Items for 2026 Donation:

Many people ask what can be donated. Chalmers has provided the list below to Knox for 2026 of items of focus. Additional needs will be shared on Chalmers and Knox social media throughout the year. Any contributions are greatly appreciated.

January- Canned kidney beans

February- Pasta

March- Bandaids

April- Canned tomato sauce & canned tomatoes (whole or diced)

May- Diapers

June- Canned chickpeas

July- Cereal

August- Razors and shaving cream

September- Canned chicken

October- Instant coffee

November- Canned beans in sauce

December- Peanut butter

Please note: Chalmers is also always in need of peanut butter, toilet paper and skim milk powder each month.

CORE Emergency Assistance

As followers of Jesus, our goal is to assist in caring for people in our local community who are facing poverty issues. Knox, along with some other churches in Guelph joined together to form Churches’ OutREach Guelph (CORE) Emergency Assistance.

Knox provides Prescriptions (non-narcotic) on an emergency basis. Assistance is available at the Church Office on Monday to Friday 9 am to 1 pm. Knox also contributes to the Chalmers Community Services Food Shelf.

For other services available in Guelph, ask at the office for details.

Royal City Christian Life Centre

Royal City Christian Life Centre at 50 Quebec St. provides up to 600 meals, and a variety of programs at no charge each week. This provides a safe and loving environment for anyone who is in need. Knox Church contributes financially to this important service that helps to build community in Guelph through our annual donation from the Endowment Fund and a certain percentage from our Lenten offering.

Meals are: Monday – Thursday at 7 pm

Friday – 1 pm

Saturday 6 pm

Knox Church contributes financially to this important service that helps to build community in Guelph through our annual donation from the Endowment Fund , as well as a certain percentage from our Lenten and Thanksgiving offerings.

Knox began our "Grounds for Giving" outreach in May 2024 after it was shared by guests from Royal City that coffee is one of Royal City Mission’s major expenses. Knox "Grounds for Giving" Sundays are held quarterly, with special coffee hours being hosted by the Mission & Outreach Committee and donations shared by congregants. As September 2025, the Knox congregation has donated 108 cans of coffee and $747 to Royal City Mission in support of Royal City’s outreach to the vulnerable in our community. Thank you!

They are Canadians!

On July 22, 2024, the six children of Ayak Majak officially became citizens of Canada. Sponsored by St. Andrew’s and Knox, the family arrived in Guelph on September 24, 2020. Please see the attached photo. Back row (l to r): Monydeh, Mayek and Riel; front row (l tor): Ajak, Elia and Mabor.

Until she has been here for 5 years, the bureaucratic road to citizenship for Ayak is somewhat complicated so, she will wait until September of 2025 to apply.

Knox's Giving Tree

Knox Guelph Giving Tree 2025
Gifts of Change

Our 2025 Giving Tree is ready to be filled with messages of joy, love, hope, and the spirit of Christmas! Please review the flyer on our homepage, the church email and social media platforms for further information as well. Donations online can be made using this link: https://presbyterian.ca/donate/giving-tree-knox-presbyterian-church-guelph/. There is a link to PCC Gifts of Change catalogue on the donation page, or it can be viewed at: https://presbyterian.ca/magazines/giftsofchange2025-26/Gifts-of-Change_2025-2026.html#p=1

Knox is once again participating in the Gifts of Change program through the Presbyterian Church in Canada. We are fortunate here at Knox and in Guelph, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share our blessings with others around the world. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. You can support a specific project or give generally. Tribute cards and e-cards are available for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones, or in memory of someone special.

After you donate, please add a message to a tree decoration using supplies at the front of the sanctuary. If you worship with us virtually, please email the Mission Committee and we’ll add your message to the Giving Tree for you!

Let’s fill our Giving Tree with gifts of love and hope this season!

Thank you,

Knox Mission & Outreach Committee

Clean Streets Program

Clean Streets Program Relaunched – Making a Visible Impact!

In September 2025, Royal City Mission provided a report on the restarting of the Clean Streets program. A summary follows:

Thanks to the generous donation Knox, made possible by the bequest of the estate of Grace Cooper, Royal City Mission has successfully restarted the Clean Streets Program, a low-barrier work readiness initiative that combines downtown micro-cleaning with life skills development and employment preparation.

The program relaunched in June 2025 with a new structure: participants now earn a living wage and receive support in obtaining ID, opening bank accounts, and preparing for long-term employment. Each 12-

week cohort includes 10 participants who clean downtown streets, safely dispose of waste, and build consistent work habits.

As of the end of August, early results are promising:

73 shifts completed
55 garbage bags collected
52 needles safely disposed
53 people waitlisted
1 participant already secured employment!

Community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents and business owners expressing gratitude for the cleaner streets. The program is not only improving public spaces but also transforming lives.

Clean Streets Program Guide

It's Socktober!

Celtic Music Evening