All these two volunteers want to do is serve coffee, cookies and toast and love people.
Marlene and Ben Spyker have volunteered with the Prince George New Life Centre Society drop-in centre since the late 1970s when it was at the other end of Third Avenue from where it's currently located at 1164 Third.
The New Life Centre offers a safe place for those at-risk, on the street and the working poor in Prince George based on the Christian principle of looking after widows and orphans, explained Ben.
"That's what we're trying to practice, you know," said Ben, who volunteers at the centre with Marlene every Thursday. "In trying to do that we eliminate a lot of dogmatic things, a lot of political things in the church because that's what Jesus warned us about. So we minister to those on the street and we keep in mind the Christian principle to lay it before them and if they want it they can receive it and if not, we'll just give the cookies and the coffee. Our beliefs will never be forced on anybody."
Everyone is welcome at the drop-in centre, but what is not tolerated is foul language, abusive behaviour towards others or threats made against volunteers. Drug dealers are not allowed to conduct business on the premises and drug users are not allowed to use the facility for that purpose.
Most of the 20-plus core volunteers that keep the centre running come from the local church community who wish to connect to those in need on a more personal level, explained Ben, who is a director of the non-profit society board.
"There is a terrific amount of goodwill amongst the churches to help," said Ben. "And it's really a great thing."
The society had the use of its current location donated to them by the owners of the building so there are no operating expenses other than those that come with providing the snacks and meals offered at the centre, which all happens through donations, added Ben.
"God's been very faithful because we have a beautiful facility and people can come and have a piece of toast and watch a video and every group that comes in to volunteer does something different."
So one day volunteers will bring in materials to make Christmas cards while another group will offer hair cuts.
Marlene makes mention of a couple of the extraordinary volunteers that have been involved for years including Betty-ann Veeken who is the coordinator of the centre and long-time volunteer Carol Gray.
"Carol, who came off the streets in years past, volunteers here because she loves these people," said Marlene. "And I would say that's the basis of all the ministry that's done here - all the volunteers come because they love these people and they are always willing to go the extra mile for them."
The centre is just one stop of many for some of the people who are at risk in Prince George. Some will come in for coffee and toast, sit and relax and then go to St. Vincent de Paul's Drop-In Centre for lunch and then make their way to Positive Living North's Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre for the rest of the afternoon. For others, the New Life Centre is their only stop of the day.
The centre doesn't need much to operate.
"But do put a call out for cookies, we can always use cookies, candies and squares," said Marlene. "The people that come here love their cookies and sweets."
Peanut butter, jam and cheese spread are always welcome donations, too.
The centre doesn't accept donations of clothing and will just pass those items along to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store down the street.
There is an exception. There's a bit of a gap, Marlene said, that sees men aged 19 to 30 needing things like socks, gloves and scarves and people are welcome to donate those items to the centre.
Flip through The Citizen's Volunteer City series, featuring stand-out volunteers in Prince George:
