The Concept
Operation Feed (formerly Operation Feed Saint John) was founded by Patrick Gordon, a retired army veteran of three Afganistan tours. After serving, Gordon looked for ways to get involved in the Saint John Region - he was inspired to make a difference after learning children in poverty often rely on their school to provide their next meal. This moment inspired Gordon to begin feeding the bellies of the most vulnerable.
Gordon’s momentum continued, which lead to Operation Feed SJ becoming Operation Feed, expanding the current mission to include providing support and purpose for our regions veterans and emergency workers.
One of the ways we are looking to support our veterans and first responders is by creating wellness centres. We aim to open 158 centres across Canada, each named after a fallen Canadian Soldier from the Afghanistan War. These Wellness Centres will have gyms, licensed professionals (therapists, peer to peer support workers etc) and be a gathering point for hope and purpose.
"Most veterans when we leave service, especially ones that served overseas, they come home feeling empty, feeling without a purpose and needing a place to put their energy,” said Gordon. “I searched and searched and searched when I came home and I couldn’t find it, and I found it now – I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing." - Patrick Gordon
The Wellness Centres
OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A DEDICATED SPACE FOR THE PHYSICAL
AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR VETERANS AND EMERGENCY
WORKERS WILL PROVIDE PURPOSE AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR
EACH INDIVIDUALS JOURNEY. THIS SAFE SPACE WILL HOUSE:
ADMINISTRATION OFFICES/GENERAL OFFICE SPACE
MEETING ROOMS
CAFÉ
COMMUNITY CENTRE
POOL TABLES, PING PONG TABLES
SOCIAL SPACE
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, FOOD PREP, PANTRY
COMMUNITY FOOD BAG STORAGE
SHIPPING/ RECEIVING
GENERAL AND PRIVATE DINING ROOM
CHANGING ROOMS, WASHROOMS/SHOWERS
OPEN GYM AREA, CARDIO EQUIPMENT, WEIGHTLIFTING
RIG AREA
TREATMENT ROOMS, SAUNA AND COLD THERAPY
PHYSIOTHERAPY, DIETITIAN
MASSAGE/ ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY
OUTDOOR AREA
BBQ
DINNING AREA
GYM SPACE
GREENHOUSES
PARKING
NOTE: OUR FACILITY WILL BE 100% BARRIER FREE/ACCESSIBLE
