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Pictures of Papa Thom's performance - Trinity Lutheran
Pictures of Papa Thom's performance - Trinity Lutheran
Papa Thom visits Sutton Shelter
Papa Thom visited the Salvation Army Youth Shelter in Sutton. Traveling across Canada, Papa Thom visits homeless shelters, donates time and cooks shepherd pie meals to those in need! In his words, "it is a priveledge to assist those that are often deemed invisible in our society", he told Chaplain Grant Verdoold. This is his third Annual Shepherd's Pie Tour and before he left he sang, played his harmonica and guitar, and then graciously donated a new guitar to our youth at the youth shelter! - Snap Georgina
Papa Thom Donates Guitar to Salvation Army Youth Shelter
Posted on March 30, 2011 in Newswire | Tags: donations, Homeless shelters | No Comments
On Tuesday March 29, 2011, Papa Thom visited The Salvation Army’s Sutton Youth Shelter in Ontario. Papa Thom is on his third Shepherd’s Pie tour. He travels from B.C. to Ontario cooking up his now famous Shepherd’s pie at soup kitchens and shelters along the way.
A musician, Pappa Thom also looks for soup kitchens and shelters that would benefit from having an instrument on hand for client use.
Before he left the Army’s youth shelter he sang, played his harmonica and guitar, then graciously donated a new guitar to the shelter.
Says Papa Thom: “It is a privilege to assist those who are often deemed invisible in our society.” - Salvation Army
Papa Thom Donates Guitar to Salvation Army Youth Shelter
Posted on March 30, 2011 in Newswire | Tags: donations, Homeless shelters | No Comments
On Tuesday March 29, 2011, Papa Thom visited The Salvation Army’s Sutton Youth Shelter in Ontario. Papa Thom is on his third Shepherd’s Pie tour. He travels from B.C. to Ontario cooking up his now famous Shepherd’s pie at soup kitchens and shelters along the way.
A musician, Pappa Thom also looks for soup kitchens and shelters that would benefit from having an instrument on hand for client use.
Before he left the Army’s youth shelter he sang, played his harmonica and guitar, then graciously donated a new guitar to the shelter.
Says Papa Thom: “It is a privilege to assist those who are often deemed invisible in our society.” - Salvation Army
Papa Thom donates a guitar to Joe's Place, a Youth Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, as part of his Shepherd's Pie Tour. Adrienne Harris, left, an employee of Joe's Place, gratefully accepts the guitar from Papa Thom.
By Papa Thom
(aka Keith Thom)
At the time of writing I am 12 days into my 3rd Annual Shepherd’s Pie Tour, having driven in excess of 2500 kms so far. I have driven through rain, snow, ice and sunshine and have not once regretted my decision to do what I do.
Prior to leaving my hometown of Peachland, BC, several fundraising events were held for me to ensure the funds were in place for this six week tour. Thanks to all who gave and to those who continue to contribute at the various benefit shows I put on in towns as I travel. The one comment I receive again and again is that “It’s good to see someone doing something for those less fortunate in Canada.” To that I say, “Thanks, it is a privilege to assist those that are often deemed invisible in our society.”
I had a great time in Calgary where I cooked at the Mustard Seed, a nonprofit, faith-based agency that assists those going through various stages of transition in their personal lives.
I will be back April 6, doing a lunch time concert. I met and spent several hours with one of their clients who was quite a good guitarist and hopefully he will accompany me at the
concert. Thanks Martin, it was an honour getting to know you.
I also visited Th e Dream Centre, also in Calgary, and will be back there on my return trip to cook up my famous Shepherd’s Pie for the 125 clients of this addiction recovery centre for men. I will also be putting on a bit of a show that night as well.
My stop in Moose Jaw went well and I was able to donate another guitar to a youth centre called Joe’s Place. They had one acoustic guitar already and the second one certainly
makes jamming a little better.
I had a meeting with the mayor, Glen Hagel. We discussed many social programs, including affordable housing. The next day the mayor joined me at the Riverside Mission
where I cooked more Shepherd’s Pie for the clientele there. We had a great time of making music and, in fact, two fine gentlemen took over the music while I had my dinner. Great
show guys!.
I will be taking a couple days off on Sunday, March 13, as I am going to Chicago to connect with some family and enjoy their company. I re-enter Canada and carry on to London, Ontario. For a more detailed description of my travels please check into www.papathom.com and go to the blog tab or check in with Papa Thom on
Facebook.
Peace, Papa Thom - Peachland View
Keith “Papa” Thom has a fairly simple mission statement for his Shepherd’s Pie Tour. Thom provides food for the belly and music for the heart.
Thom now lives in B.C. but has done four tours across the country, cooking his shepherd’s pie for the homeless and donating guitars to the local shelters.
The 2012 tour will put Thom in Moose Jaw on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday he will be cooking at the Riverside Mission. Thursday, Thom will be at Java Express where 10 per cent of all proceeds will be donated to Riverside Mission.
Thom got the push on this idea out of two events that had powerful impact on him, he said.
“Seven years ago I lost everything except my delightful children. Pretty well, essentially, my wife walked out. I found myself virtually, after two years, almost penniless. I had a good pity party for 18 months then my children took me out for dinner and paid. They said to me, ‘dad you like 3 things: music, food and young people, do something like that,’” Thom said.
At around the same time, Thom said he met a 12-year-old girl at a shelter in Kitchener that had been abused.
“I met this young lady and she impacted me big time. It’s a very sad story with a very happy ending,” Thom said. “It was her that inspired me to do this tour. I sort of won her over with food and music at a shelter in Kitchener.”
That girl is now 19. Thom said he saw her a couple years ago and she’s gone back to school and is on a positive path now.
In a press release, Thom’s shepherd’s pie is called “famous.” For a humble food, that’s a big claim.
“It’s just a comfort food. It has all the ingredients together in one dish. It’s a really easy meal to put together and I can involve the clients in the shelter,” Thom said.
Besides feeding the hungry, Thom also passes on the gift of music – and not just by playing.
Thoms’ “Guitars Across Canada” program has donated 31 guitars to shelters and various social agencies. When he comes back through to shelters he’s donated guitars to, he restrings and maintains the guitars.
He says that though he is a Christian, he doesn’t play religious songs and he doesn’t preach. He just wants to spread music and put food on plates.
“Life doesn’t end at 57, it starts,” Thom said. - Moose Jaw Times Herald
Keith “Papa” Thom has a fairly simple mission statement for his Shepherd’s Pie Tour. Thom provides food for the belly and music for the heart.
Thom now lives in B.C. but has done four tours across the country, cooking his shepherd’s pie for the homeless and donating guitars to the local shelters.
The 2012 tour will put Thom in Moose Jaw on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday he will be cooking at the Riverside Mission. Thursday, Thom will be at Java Express where 10 per cent of all proceeds will be donated to Riverside Mission.
Thom got the push on this idea out of two events that had powerful impact on him, he said.
“Seven years ago I lost everything except my delightful children. Pretty well, essentially, my wife walked out. I found myself virtually, after two years, almost penniless. I had a good pity party for 18 months then my children took me out for dinner and paid. They said to me, ‘dad you like 3 things: music, food and young people, do something like that,’” Thom said.
At around the same time, Thom said he met a 12-year-old girl at a shelter in Kitchener that had been abused.
“I met this young lady and she impacted me big time. It’s a very sad story with a very happy ending,” Thom said. “It was her that inspired me to do this tour. I sort of won her over with food and music at a shelter in Kitchener.”
That girl is now 19. Thom said he saw her a couple years ago and she’s gone back to school and is on a positive path now.
In a press release, Thom’s shepherd’s pie is called “famous.” For a humble food, that’s a big claim.
“It’s just a comfort food. It has all the ingredients together in one dish. It’s a really easy meal to put together and I can involve the clients in the shelter,” Thom said.
Besides feeding the hungry, Thom also passes on the gift of music – and not just by playing.
Thoms’ “Guitars Across Canada” program has donated 31 guitars to shelters and various social agencies. When he comes back through to shelters he’s donated guitars to, he restrings and maintains the guitars.
He says that though he is a Christian, he doesn’t play religious songs and he doesn’t preach. He just wants to spread music and put food on plates.
“Life doesn’t end at 57, it starts,” Thom said. - Moose Jaw Times Herald
Discography
I have recorded one CD in 2012 called "Invisible". This is a collection of 5 original songs inspired by those I encounter on my yearly :Shepherd's Pie Tour in Canada where I cook Shepherd's Pie in homeless shelters. I invite local politicians and the media to the shelters to assist me, in order to raise awareness of the many issues that surround our "friends on the street".
Listen at www.papathom.com or search Papa Thom on reverbnation
Photos
Bio
Papa Thom began his musical adventure over 38 years ago, playing the clubs and coffee houses of Toronto and then crossing the ocean to spend a year in Europe. He played gigs in sunny Spain, North Africa and in Holland where he was warmly received as the “Canada Kid”. An original tune, Bush’s Inn went to #3 on Dutch radio stations.
He took 34 years off from full time music to raise his family. His children Fiona (34), Andrew (24) and Rachael (21) continue to inspire and encourage him on a daily basis. It was with their support and encouragement, that Papa Thom’s Shepherd’s Pie Tour was born.
He now travels the country every winter serving and cooking his now famous Shepherd’s Pie at soup kitchens and shelters all the while sharing his music with clients of various social agencies.
This has become a full time venture since 2009 and Papa Thom has become involved in his new community of Peachland BC by serving on The Okanagan Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board. He also does weekly music at The Kelowna Gospel Mission and an area Detox centre. He continues to write articles and letters to the editors of newspapers across Canada as well as penning new songs as they come to him. As he travels he also meets with area politicians in order to impress upon them that this invisible portion of our population can not be forgotten.
Many fine folks have and continue to make donations to Papa Thom’s cause and those donations are used for his very minimal admin costs and expenditures. Funds are also used for travel expenses, groceries for the Shepherds Pies and to purchase guitars for his Guitars Across Canada Program.
Links
