3 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
The gift of giving
East Kildonan
Keith Saunders has known hard times. Perhaps that is what motivates the former Canadian and world champion to feed people in need.
Several times every year, Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy at 350 Dowling Ave. E, prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission. Together with his students, he serves up to 300 people each day. His latest meal was served on June 22.
Saunders said his work often takes him past Siloam Mission. He said his heart went out to the people in line.
Supplied photo
Keith Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy (350 Dowling Ave. E), prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission throughout the year.
One time, he saw a woman he knew in the line. She had left an abusive relationship and was starting over.
'My heart was broken; I had to stop,' Saunders said. 'From that time on, I made a plan to share whatever I have with these people.'
Those plans began modestly. Saunders would take food from work parties, get folks to chip in, and shop for a little more. He prepared dinner at home and served it at Siloam Mission.
'I think it's necessary to do,' Saunders added. 'One time, I figured it cost me two bucks a person. I fed 250 people for $500. That's not bad.'
For June 22's menu, Saunders cut a deal for 50 pounds of fresh pork and made stew and sandwiches. He added 300 eggs, 100 hamburgers, 100 hot dogs, potato chips, Rice Krispies cake, banana bread and water. He needed a rental truck to transport the feast.
Part of the ethos at the Saunders Taekwondo Academy is self-improvement, both physically and mentally. Saunders encourages his pupils to give their time and money.
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Over the years, Saunders has seen several people he knew in line, including cousins. He also knows that he could have easily been one of the hungry himself.
In the early 1990s, Saunders was beginning his plumbing career and was struggling to find work. His truck broke down, and he struggled to pay his living expenses.
'I couldn't ask for help,' he recalled. 'I was hungry and desperate for four or five months. I was thinking about eating dog food. I know what it's like to be hungry. I don't want these people to go to bed hungry. We can all help them with food and water.'
Saunders said the need is all around us. He's helped students' parents with groceries. At Christmas, he mobilized his crew, and they delivered a hamper containing $1,500 worth of groceries to a Ukrainian newcomer family. Through his taekwondo connections, he's delivered necessities to people in Cuba.
'It's hard for me to walk away,' Saunders concluded. 'I want my students to know the gift of giving, to show them stronger people with bigger hearts. I truly believe it comes back to me.'
Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent
Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@
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