The Friendship Inn serves the most vulnerable citizens in Saskatoon's core communities and beyond, many of whom would go hungry without the Inn's Daily Free Meal Service.

Guests of the Friendship Inn describe hunger as "living in chaos”, so serving with compassion, offering dignity and reserving judgement are core principles. Guests often struggle with complex health barriers including poverty; mental health and addictions challenges; homelessness or lack of safe, affordable housing; intergenerational trauma; domestic violence; underemployment or long-term disability. Approximately 80% of guests self-identify as Indigenous (2024 PIT Count). For many guests, the warm welcome they receive from staff and volunteers at the Inn may be the only kindness they receive in a day.

There are no qualifying criteria to eat a meal at the Inn - we operate with a ‘no questions asked’ policy to preserve the dignity of guests. We assume everyone who comes to the Inn has a need, whether for food, friendship or help to take a good step forward. The Inn offers access to washrooms and water, and assists guests with emergent needs, supports or referrals, primarily through our community support worker.

Without proper nutrition, people living in poverty experience high levels of illness and stress. Hunger negatively affects every aspect of daily life in ways that are difficult to understand for those who have not experienced this challenge. By responding with two nutritious meals, 365 days of the year, the Friendship Inn empowers individuals and families to focus on other emergent issues such as securing housing, finding employment, and creating healthy relationships.

www.friendshipinn.ca