Vancouver charity prepares turkey dinner for thousands
Posted December 1, 2022 10:54 pm.
Last Updated December 1, 2022 10:57 pm.
Turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes are set to be on the plates of thousands, as a Vancouver charity is getting ready to serve a warm holiday meal.
The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is getting ready to host its 82nd annual Christmas meal on Saturday.
But long-time volunteer Bob Meyer says that preparing the traditional dinner takes a lot of work.
Evidence of this is the amount of food that is getting cooked, including 1,800 pounds of turkey, 800 pounds of mashed potatoes, and 260 litres of gravy.
In addition to their annual holiday meal, the UGM also serves free meals three times a day on the Downtown Eastside.
Volunteer Bob Meyer says that preparing the traditional dinner at the Union Gospel Mission takes a lot of work. (Angela Bower/CityNews)
“The need for help is greater than ever. The overlapping opioid, housing, and health crises are pushing people into poverty every day, and homelessness and addiction in Metro Vancouver is at an all-time high,” the group said on its website.
UGM’s Rachael Allen says this year’s dinner is especially important to help those who are struggling with tighter budgets.
“Maybe they are struggling with homelessness, maybe they are staying at our shelter and they have nowhere to go, folks that are struggling with addiction,” she said.
“We also have families that come to our meals,” she added.
Allen says the organization has noticed a recent rise in stigma and stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness and addiction.
Tom Kan is a chef at the Union Gospel Mission. (Angela Bower/CityNews)
“They are just struggling with barriers in their lives, and we see that they are being blamed for the things they are struggling with…They are faced with all sorts of comments and gestures of violence,” she explained.
She says meals like the Christmas dinner can help bring people together, and create a sense of community and support.
“Everyone has hope and everyone has potential, because we know transformation is possible,” Allen said.
Meyer says that he enjoys giving back to the community, and UGM “does affect lives.”
“We believe in meeting people wherever they’re at, and helping restore lives by providing for their whole needs,” UGM added.
The dinner is set to take place on Saturday at multiple locations.
