Union Gospel Mission to serve Christmas dinner curbside

Union Gospel Mission’s annual Christmas Dinner is happening for the sixth time this year, but this time, diners will be served on the corner.

The organization decided not to hold the event in its regular dining room to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Nadia Tchoumi from Union Gospel Mission says the community can still expect all the fixings, even if they have to pick up curbside.

“This is still going to be our traditional Christmas dinner with 1,500 pounds of turkey, 375 pounds of homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy pies,” she said.

Miracles begin with a meal and our Christmas meal is an opportunity to spark a fresh start

This weekend, we’re serving1800 Christmas to-go dinners to our community members, while following COVID-19 protocols. This is a meal of hope and celebration pic.twitter.com/zhf2sz38hD

— Union Gospel Mission (@ugm) December 4, 2021

Dinner will be served all weekend, right up until Monday. It will be available at all of their satellite locations, including Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, and Mission. UGM anticipates serving around 1,800 meals.

“But this is definitely one of the ways that we are still able to continue serving our community in spite of everything we’ve been dealing with through COVID,” said Tchoumi.

“We still managed to find a way to modify the serving of our Christmas meals and Thanksgiving and Easter, and still make it something that community members can come to and get a warm meal, some connection, and a sense of community.”

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The holidays can be difficult for anyone, let alone homeless people who have to worry about finding their next meal and a safe place to sleep.

“There is loneliness. There is also isolation, and so when we talk about a meal like this, it’s a beautiful, powerful tool for connection,” said Tchoumi.

“We know that for folks who are struggling with homelessness and addiction, that can go a long way. This is why we say a miracle begins with a meal.”

She recalls visitors coming in for a meal and leaving with connections to outreach workers, volunteers, and others who make them feel valued.

“Even though things have been incredibly difficult across BC right now, I think the more we give back, the better off we’re all going to be.

When you do, I think you really start to see how much love exists, even in these really challenging times.” – Lindsay, UGM Volunteer pic.twitter.com/8DXtLik0Gg

— Union Gospel Mission (@ugm) December 4, 2021

And during a year like 2021 — beset by pandemics, natural disasters, and the overdose epidemic, among other factors — people can use a break and a hot meal.

“We know for some folks experiencing homelessness, this has been a really difficult season. This meal is important. It means a lot,” said Tchoumi.

“It’s a ray of hope for some folks, just to know there are people in the community who care about the situations in their lives and want to make sure that this Christmas they know they’re loved and special.”