Local churches are once again putting on the free Thanksgiving dinner at the Gibsons Legion (747 Gibsons Way) and the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre (5604 Trail Avenue).
Event coordinator Kenan Mackenzie told Coast Reporter via email that those who want to be included need to register by calling 672-981-0061 by Oct.11, he noted in that Oct. 4 correspondence. “It is unfortunate that we have a cut off but we need to buy the food before the 14th to ensure we have enough for everyone,” he wrote.
The meal service offers the opportunity to dine in and “gather as a community," said Mackenzie but he noted that event organizers are also offering meals for “take outs and delivery for the shut ins." Those arrangements and a dining time for those who want to attend at one of the two locations will be made at registration.
“Look around you at your neighbours, people you come in contact with that may be struggling … offer to bring them for a meal or bring them a meal,” said Mackenzie. He noted the meal is meant not just to provide food but encourage sharing with and caring for one another within our community: “We hope it is a call to action for each of us.”
He indicated the cost of the meal is covered by “generous donations” from community businesses and groups. “Cedars Inn in Gibsons has just stepped forward with a $3,000 donation. The Sechelt Seniors Centre and the Gibsons Legion donate the use of their facilities Super-Valu has been an incredible partner in the dinner, cooking all of the turkeys."
Looking forward and back
“We expect to serve 600 meals between Gibsons and Sechelt for Thanksgiving," said Mackenzie. And at the next major holiday, Christmas, when another community meal offering is being organized, Mackenzie estimated that “plans are to serve over a 1000 meals."
Recounting the origins of the event, he noted it began with St Mary’s Catholic Church and Calvary Baptist Church coming together to host the gathering. It has since grown to have the Salvation Army, St Bart’s Anglican Church, St Mary’s, Calvary Baptist, Bethel Baptist, St Hilda’s and Holy Family, Culinary Arts Elphinstone Secondary, Super-Valu and other community groups involved.
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