Pastor Peter Snow of the Glad Tidings Worship Centre was drifting in and out of sleep when he awoke to the sound of his dog pacing the hallways. Minutes later, he pulled himself from bed to find a living room filled with smoke, and a fire in the basement burning out of control.

The family made it from the house safely, Jan. 8, 2006, but was left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Matthew 25 was quick to offer up a bag full of things to wear.

“We didn’t reach out to them… They approached us the next day,” Snow said. “It’s helpful to know you’re not alone… we were getting a lot of help from the community.”

Matthew 25 aids about 400 people a month within the community by offering out stocked food and clothing to those in need. This non-profit organization celebrated 30 years of operation with coffee, juice, snacks and cake given to anyone who dropped in July 9.

It’s definitely an organization needed in every community because every community has needy people, Snow added. “And in the bible it talks about helping the needy.”

Matthew 25 chair Cindy Loane says she wishes it weren’t a needed organization, because then it would be a comfort in knowing people didn’t need the help.

Mom and Dad had four children to provide for when the family lost everything in a house fire, Loane said. “We knew what it was like to have to ask for help... to have nothing.”

Matthew 25 has helped men who have come crying because it’s a hard time to provide for the family, Loane said. “It feels good to help meet that need - and it’s so important.”

Having food, clothes and toys at Christmas makes a huge difference, Loane said. “We rely on the lord and giving sprits to help us meet these basic needs for others.”

“I’m proud of the work people have done to help keep this place going in memory of my mother (Dorothy LeGoffic),” Loane said. “She’d be amazed to see what we do today.”