CLASSic Lunchbox: Serving Up Skills, Community, and Opportunity
Every week, the CLASSic Lunchbox program brings people together over hearty, homemade soup while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
On Wednesdays, the program offers free soup delivery in Alliston to local businesses and homes. Prepared at 125 Dufferin Street at the CLASS Community Resource Program, the soups are made fresh and delivered right to your door. This convenient service allows the community to enjoy a delicious and economical soup meal while supporting a program that empowers people through skill development and employment. Simply place your order ahead of time and follow CLASSic Lunchbox on social media or visit the CLASS website at www.class.on.ca to stay updated on the weekly menu.
On Thursdays, the program shifts to the Everett Legion, where a warm, welcoming space fills with the aroma of freshly made soup. The Legion generously provides its facility free of charge, offering a gathering place where community members can enjoy an affordable meal while connecting with friends and neighbours.
Building Skills and Sharing Success
At its core, CLASSic Lunchbox is more than just a meal service—it’s a hands-on training ground where people develop valuable employment skills. From grocery shopping and food prep to cooking, serving, and cleaning, each person contributes to the program’s success. Through these experiences, they build skills in cooking, cleaning, money management, teamwork, customer relations, and time management—skills that foster independence and open doors to future job opportunities.
One of the program’s unique features is its profit-sharing model. The proceeds from each week’s meal are divided among all participants, ensuring that everyone involved—from the grocery shoppers and cooks to the servers and clean-up crew—shares in the program’s success. This not only offers financial rewards but also instills a well-earned sense of pride and accomplishment.
A Community Partnership
The Everett Legion has been an essential partner in making CLASSic Lunchbox possible, providing their space free of charge and helping foster a welcoming atmosphere where the community can gather.
The program’s impact extends far beyond the weekly meal service. Throughout the year, people supported by CLASS are actively involved in local events and festivals, building connections with the broader community. From Carrot Fest to the Camphill Communities Fall Fair, the Alliston Potato Festival, and the Tottenham Spring Home Show, participants proudly represent CLASS, engaging with visitors, sharing their stories, and promoting the program.
A Recipe for Inclusion and Growth
The CLASSic Lunchbox program is a great example of what happens when a community comes together to promote inclusion, skill development, and shared success. It offers more than just employment skills—it creates confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Each bowl of soup served represents not only nourishment but also the dedication, effort, and heart of everyone involved.
As the program continues to grow, CLASS is grateful for the ongoing support from the Everett Legion, the CLASS Community Resource Program Staff, The Lunchbox Crew, and the many community members who contribute by attending, volunteering, donating, and sharing kind words. With every meal served, CLASSic Lunchbox reinforces its mission: empowering people, building community, and creating opportunities—one bowl of soup at a time.
Join the CLASSic Lunchbox Facebook group to stay updated on weekly soups, events, and delivery options within Alliston. Your support helps CLASS continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.
