Hundreds of diners, volunteers enjoy holiday feasts
JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
By: Carol Sanders
The guest list at Siloam Mission’s Christmas dinner has grown over the years and so has the number of volunteers who want to share in the spirit of the season.
Charlie Cao, 28, made sure his name was on the list months ago to volunteer at the Winnipeg mission’s Christmas Eve dinner.
“I called in October,” said the University of Manitoba student who wanted to make sure he was among the 50 or so volunteers who helped serve dinner to 500 of the less fortunate.
“You feel more complete when you can help,” said Cao, who was helping out at Siloam for the second Christmas in a row. The Buddhist also volunteers as a driver for Meals on Wheels.
On Wednesday, he served up traditional Christmas fare with all the trimmings.
Fifty turkeys were cooked for the meals and almost 165 kilograms of potatoes have been prepared. Manitoba Hutterite colonies donated 650 dinner rolls and 50 pies.
There were two sittings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and overflow seating from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
“It’s special,” said Abe, who was one of the first in line for the Christmas dinner.
“It’s the real deal,” said his friend Debbie, from Bloodvein First Nation, waiting in line with Mona, who at 34 walks with a cane because her arthritis is so bad. They asked that their last names not be published.
Christmas is often the hardest day of the year for many poor and homeless people, since it serves as a reminder of their difficult situations. Not so for the three friends waiting for dinner outside the mission, who moved to Winnipeg from three different First Nations, but consider each other family.
For them, Wednesday’s dinner at Siloam is their family Christmas dinner.
The mission offers a sponsor-a-plate campaign, where $2.58 buys a meal. At each place-setting on the decorated dinner tables were placemats and Christmas cards signed by the donors.
“It’s a challenge to us to open up more volunteer opportunities to the community and ways to help,” said John Mohan, head of Siloam Mission.
Marilyn Swain and her daughter Alana found a way to help. Six years ago, with the help of their Peace Lutheran Church, they started stuffing long woolen socks with toiletries so each of the dinner guests would have a gift to take away. There were just 150 guests then. Now, there are close to 500.
“It grew,” Marilyn Swain said.
Siloam wasn’t the only place offer a free hot meal to the needy Wednesday.
Close to 300 West End residents were treated to a traditional dinner at X-Cues Billiards and Cafe on Sargent Avenue, presented by The Sons of Italy, Sorrento’s on Ellice, X-Cues and many members of the West End BIZ.
On Christmas Day, another feast will be prepared and served by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre staff and volunteers at the Circle of Life Thunderbird House on Main Street.
The dinner begins at 11 a.m. Food and gift donations are still being accepting for the event; to volunteer or donate, contact the Thunderbird House at 940-4240.
