Out of the Cold
On November 6th, we will once again launch Out of the Cold for the 2025-2026 winter season.
For more than two decades, Holy Blossom Temple has generously opened its doors to the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) during five winter months while providing nutritious meals and shelter to thousands of adults who are homeless, isolated, or facing food insecurity. Volunteers prepare warm meals, serve our guests with dignity, provide uplifting and meaningful programming, and provide visitors with vital supplies during the harsh winter months.
This year, 2025-26, we will open our doors on November 6 at 5:30 pm. It will run for 5 months from Thursday, November 6 to the last Thursday of March (March 26) from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Tabitha Grove ([email protected]), if you have questions!
This year we welcome back Ellen Howard and Mitchell Toker as our veteran Co-Chairs, and are happy to welcome Jojo Alexandroff for her first year as Co-Chair! We offer our deep thanks to Janet Shiner her years of leadership, Chazak chazak v’neit hazek! From strength to strength!
We look forward to seeing you at Out of the Cold!
Sign Up and Volunteer!
Welcome to Holy Blossom’s Out of the Cold Program! Thank you so much for volunteering your time to serve those in need this winter. To sign up, please contact our volunteer coordinator Tabitha Grove. Her email can be found directly below.
Once you contact the volunteer coordinator you will be sent a link to fill out a Google form. Please fill it out to the best of your ability so that we can determine which roles and responsibilities you can fulfill with us. (Roles and Responsibilities are explained here- LINK TO THAT PAGE)
You will have the ability to indicate your preferred volunteer role and date of service, but we do not guarantee that each role is available to every volunteer on their preferred date. If you are not assigned your preferred role, you will have a greater chance of being in that role with continued service.
Dates do fill up! If we cannot accommodate you on a preferred date, we will do our best to find you a date that works later in the season.
You can ask questions about our program by contacting Rabbi Samuel Kaye or the Out of the Cold Chairs.
Please do not come to Out of the Cold if you have not registered and confirmed with the volunteer coordinator. We do not accept ‘walk-in’ volunteers.
Volunteers must be at least 12 years old. Volunteers between 12-15 years old must be accompanied by a guardian.
We look forward to seeing you at Holy Blossom Temple!
Email: [email protected]
Roles and Responsibilities
These are the current roles available to volunteers at Out of the Cold.
You can ask questions about our program by contacting Rabbi Samuel Kaye or the Out of the Cold Chairs.
As we continue to expand and rebuild our program more roles will be created. If you have special talents or want to contribute to our efforts in a way you don’t see listed here, please let the Out of the Cold Chairs know!
Driver
Start Time: 4:00 pm
Pick up hot meals and deliver them to Holy Blossom Temple. You must have a large enough vehicle to fit the large hot storage meal box. Must have a valid driver’s license.
Donation Driver
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Deliver leftover and extra food to designated locations for distribution. Must hold a valid driver’s license
Return Driver
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Return empty large storage meal boxes to their original location. Must hold a valid driver’s license.
Sort and Hand Out Clothing/Toiletries
Start Time: TBD
There will be some opportunities to assist with clothing and toiletry distribution at a later date.
Outdoor Greeter
Start Time: 4:30 pm
Greet our guests and welcome them to Holy Blossom Temple. Ensure they find the dinner location.
Indoor Greeter
Start time: 5:00 pm
Greet guests as they enter the room. Assist guests with any initial questions or needs.
Set-Up
Start Time: 4:00 pm
Help with the setup of meals, tables, chairs, sign-in/out, coffee, and serving station.
Meal Server
Start Time: 5:00 pm
Distribute hot meals to guests. Gloves, masks, and aprons are required and will be provided.
Meal Plater
Start Time: 5:00 pm
Plate hot meals, salads, fruit, and desserts for guests. Gloves, masks, and aprons are required and will be provided.
Welcome Table
Start Time: 5:00 pm
Welcomes guests to sign in and provide name tags. Assists guests with initial questions.
Coffee and Tea Server
Start Time: 5:00 pm
Assists guests with hot coffee and tea.
Tear Down
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Assist with tearing down meal set up and cleaning up remaining materials.
Supply Drives and Donations
Thank you for your interest in making donations to Out of the Cold at Holy Blossom Temple.
Current clothing and supply drive Information will appear below. Due to limited storage space at Holy Blossom Temple, we do not accept donations of clothing or toiletries for Out of the Cold outside of the indicated dates and times. You can always help us supply our Tiny Pantries by placing smaller donations in the Janis Rotman Tzedakah Centre.
Large food and supply donations for meal service can be discussed with our Out of the Cold Chairs. Please note that any food or supply donations need to be able to support a minimum of 50 people per evening. We are always thankful for our partners who have made significant donations to help us maintain this program!
Current Partners:
Rudolph’s Bakeries
Loblaws
L’Eat Catering
