Despite being low on cash, Cooking for Kindness organizers have a plate-half-full mentality about the future of the program.
There is enough money in the bank right now to kick off the start of the program's ninth season with a community meal in October as well as host one in November.
Past that, organizer Laurelle Vooys said there is no funding for the $1,100 per meal monthly events.
"I'm not really worried though. I've been doing this a long time now and I know a little something about our community," she said.
Sundre is a giving community, she said, adding she's confident that once the monthly meals start up, donations are sure to come in.
Run entirely by volunteers and with donations, Cooking for Kindness is a free monthly meal for people in the community who have mental or physical challenges, or those who may be isolated.
"It's a way to get them out and being with other people and meeting new people," she said.
It takes upwards of 20 volunteers to put on each of the monthly events that average about 150 attendees each.
This isn't the first time Cooking for Kindness has been in an "iffy situation" financially, having operated on a similar meal-by-meal basis several years ago.
Surprising out-of-the-blue donations tend to occur, she said, pointing to a $5,000 cheque an attendee wrote on the spot after one particular meal.
During town council's August meeting, Sundre CAO Linda Nelson informed council the group was running low on funding.
"We wanted to ensure the community is aware of this," she said.
The intent, Nelson told council, is to ensure that seniors and others who may be isolated or have physical or other handicaps and simply want to socialize with others, have an opportunity to get out at least once a month to enjoy a nutritious meal with friends.
Coun. Myron Thompson said the program initially got off the ground courtesy of an anonymous $10,000 donation, and suggested council consider in future discussions adding the initiative to the municipality's regular budget.
"I'm not going to suggest an amount or anything, I just think that those kinds of organizations deserve recognition through some help with funding on a regular basis," he said.
Vooys said plans for the first event after the summer break are coming along nicely.
Themed "Body, Mind, and Soul of Sundre," the October event will feature special volunteers serving perogies, bratwurst, buns, pickles and dessert.
A variety of businesses have also already committed to providing volunteers this year.
This year, the meals will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 in Sundre. Another change this year includes the cancellation of delivery service.
Participants can take a meal back to someone who was unable to attend but they have to present in person, said Vooys.
"We really were enabling bad behaviour by carrying on (delivery service)," she said, adding surveys were conducted in the off-season to solicit feedback on the service.
Anyone who wants to get involved or offer a donation is welcome to contact organizer Lourelle Vooys at 403-638-3378.
