Celebrating Commitment

MHI Appreciation for Peggy Lister

Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) is deeply grateful to have received a recent $5,000 donation from St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, made possible through its long-running Loblaws gift card fundraising program. At the heart of this fundraising effort is Peggy Lister, whose dedication has supported the community in many ways.

Peggy has been a member of St. John’s for 55 years and a founding member of the St. John’s Affordable Housing Committee when it was established in 2005. Although the committee has grown smaller over time, its work has endured, largely due to Peggy’s commitment, care, and meticulous attention to detail. With support from her longtime collaborator and friend, Mary Frances Marshall, Peggy is the “go-to” person for the gift card program. She oversees bulk purchases, tracks prepaid orders, and ensures that every dollar raised benefits organizations such as MHI.

These efforts led to this year’s $5,000 contribution to MHI, funds generated simply by people buying groceries in a way that gives back. MHI is fortunate to have received support from this program since 2014. Peggy attributes the success of the program to careful planning and consistency. “I like numbers that work out,” she says. “Balances that work. It gives me pleasure.”

Peggy believes safe, permanent, and affordable housing is key to keeping people alive and healthy. At 84, she continues to volunteer about 30 hours a week. Peggy is the volunteer coordinator for St. John’s Community Shop, serves as the church’s Envelope Secretary, supports Cornerstone Housing for Women, and plays a leadership role with the Refugee Ministry Office of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, helping welcome more than 100 refugees each year.

Peggy Lister is deeply curious about how things work and approaches the world with care. When asked what keeps her feeling hopeful, Peggy mentions the weekly leadership of St. John’s Pastor and Rector, the Reverend Canon Gary van der Meer, who reads about what is happening in the world and gives others a way of processing it. “Every single week, I appreciate the act of making sense of things,” she says. “When faced with big challenges, we can strive to be helpful and take care of one another in community.”

Looking to the future, Peggy is mindful of the need for eventual transition and succession planning, though it is hard to imagine any one person fully replacing the dedication and oversight she brings to her work. Her story demonstrates that meaningful change often comes from persistence, organization, and showing up, month after month, year after year. Leading by example, Peggy shows that there are many ways to support affordable housing, and that every sustained effort, truly matters.

Peggy Lister and MHI’s Sheldon Leong ​