![\"OldBreweryMission_March2015\"](\"http:\/\/iamaw2468.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/OldBreweryMission_March2015.jpg\")
<\/a>Volunteers from IAMAW Local Lodges 2468 and 869 in front of the Old Brewery Mission<\/p><\/div>\n
On Friday, March 13th, members of several IAMAW local lodges gathered together at the Old Brewery Mission in order to show support for this Montreal Institution.\u00a0 Members received a guided tour of the facility which included how the facility operated, the amount of people who used the facility, the rules and other information.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The less privileged of Montreal begin to gather for their late afternoon meal.<\/p><\/div>\n
Following the tour, it was time to get to work: lodge members donned their aprons and began setting up the tables: this included napkins, cutlery, bread, coffee and two Oreo cookies.\u00a0 Everything\u00a0regarding the service is about efficiency: chains of volunteers link the kitchen counter where the meals are issued to the farthest tables.\u00a0 The coffee was premixed with milk, and as each recipient finished their meal, their tray was picked up and the area was cleaned for the next wave of hungry diners.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The IAMAW District 11 team of volunteers at the Old Brewery Mission dining area.<\/p><\/div>\n
Teamwork is essential in order to serve up to several hundred less fortunate people who may be homeless, poor and perhaps on welfare.\u00a0 There was no need for any special “programs” involving catch phrases, meetings and discussions.\u00a0 This system obviously evolved through trial and error, and is easily learned by all new volunteers.<\/p>\n
During the period between\u00a0 16:00 to 18:00, we served approximately 200 people.\u00a0 As they made their way into the dining area, one could not help but wonder how these less fortunate people reached their current situation.\u00a0 Speaking to a long-time volunteer, I was told that the range of circumstances was very broad: some had university educations and once held\u00a0government jobs, others lost their wives\/husbands and\/or children, still others had substance issues.\u00a0 Looking at their faces as they shuffled by, it was apparent that misfortune can happen to anyone.<\/p>\n