Free dinners return to P.E.I. for Christmas day with COVID-19 restrictions lifted
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CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI — Free Christmas dinners are returning to island communities this holiday season.
Sandra Sunil, from catering company 4S, will be helping her family’s charity, 4Love 4Care, host a turkey dinner at the Jack Blanchard Family Center on Christmas Day from 4pm to 6pm.
Registration numbers have increased since the event began in 2020, and 4Love is preparing 450 takeaway meals, Sunil said on Dec. 23.
“Basically, anyone who needs the meals can register with us so that we know how many meals they want, pick them up. And it’s take-away style, so people can just walk into the Jack Blanchard Hall, pick up their food and be on their way.”
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They adopt 30 large turkeys donated by the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry Food Bank. The rest of the products were also donated by community organizations, Sunil said.
While most of the COVID-19 public health measures have been lifted, this year’s meals will still be takeaway due to the combination of high registration and health precautions, she said.
Even so, tables and chairs will be set up for anyone who wants to stay and chat, she added.
“It was like a week-long process just to get all the products. And we’re letting volunteers come tomorrow (December 24) from 10am to at least 4pm depending on how much work we’re doing. And then the volunteers will come back on Sunday morning and help us throughout the day.”
At a glance:
Below are the donors of the 4Love 4Care Christmas dinner:
• Community Outreach Center (Alan Hicken) – Beets, celery
• Buns and things – bread
• Upper Hall Hospitality Ministry Food Bank – Turkeys
• Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society – Potatoes
• Producer Station – Beets
• ADL – butter
• Food Exchange (Pauline Howard) – carrots, onions
Outside of the holiday season, 4Love 4 Care also hosts a monthly free dinner. Speaking about the reason for these events, Sunil said that this is what the family really loves to do.
“One of our main mantras at 4Love 4Care is to spread love through the skills and resources we have. And that’s where we’re going to focus on food, because that’s where our space is and that’s where our expertise is right now. So we’re really focused on doing our part in any way we can to help the community.”
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Another big dinner is held in Montague on Christmas Day.
Anne Van Donkersgoed hosts the Montague Bible Fellowship Free Christmas Dinner from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at 123 Sackville St. in Montague.
“It’s a turkey dinner with all the trimmings,” said Van Donkersgoed on December 22. “So, your turkey and gravy and dressing and all the veggies and a variety of desserts — everything you would find at a traditional Christmas dinner.”
While the event is organized by the Church, all are welcome. In particular, Van Donkersgoed and her colleagues hope to reach people who may not have family to spend time with or those who may be too busy with work or other holiday activities to properly enjoy a family meal, she said.
“That’s what we’re doing it for – for people who are just really busy and just want to take a breather.”
– Anne Van Donkersgoed
A woman she spoke to recently booked 11 meals after finding out she had to work until 8pm on Christmas Day, Van Donkersgoed said.
“That’s what we’re doing it for – for people who are just really busy and just want to take a breather.”
Logan MacLean is a reporter at the SaltWire Network
[email protected]
@loganmaclean94
