With final numbers still being tallied, it appears volunteers from across the community dished up almost 550 turkey dinners on Thanksgiving Day, in a traditional celebration that continues to grow in popularity. The 2021 Easter Community Dinner, which held the previous attendance record, served up just 430 meals.
The traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, gravy and stuffing and a rhubarb crumble dessert, was dished up as a no-barrier, no-charge offering to the community and subsidized by donations by area businesses, individuals and churches. The 27 turkeys required to serve this number were generously donated – and roasted – by SuperValu.
For singles, seniors, and those facing health challenges, the opportunity to share a meal prompted an outpouring of gratitude. “The meal was beautiful and the only chance I had to celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Jan Lee in a typical comment repeated by other recipients throughout the day. “Much appreciation.”
The organizing team is drawn primarily from the area churches, working together under the direction of newly-ordained Deacon Kenan MacKenzie of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. St. Mary’s launched the original no-barrier, no-charge Community Dinner several years ago.
“The goal is to build community,” MacKenzie emphasized. “This is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of circumstance or faith, to sit down together and connect over a meal. Now, with the pandemic protocols we have to social distance – so we are eating the same dinner together, just really far apart. We have done take-out for the last few Community Dinners and look forward to a time when we can sit down and break bread together in a traditional way.
“Meanwhile,” he added, “this seems to be working.”
The meals, which are served in celebration of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, are generously subsidized by local churches, businesses and service clubs and time donated on the day by an army of volunteers.
They included the mayors of Gibsons (directing traffic in the parking lot) and Sechelt (dishing out mashed spuds in the serving line).
Gibsons Coun. David Croal directed the kitchen operations at the Gibsons Legion and Peter Moonen coordinated the team working at Holy Family Church hall in West Sechelt.
This was the inaugural event for Sechelt’s operation which prepared, served and delivered meals for that community for the first time, answering a need to expand the event’s reach that was identified during the Easter Community Dinner.
The Salvation Army coordinated delivery of 80 dinners to residents of Sechelt’s supportive and sheltered housing while the team at the church hall continued its synchronized ballet, serving up another 125 meals to area residents.
