Twenty-nine years after the first one, the Revelstoke Community Christmas Dinner is set to welcome another year of community feasting this holiday season with as much food cheer as ever.
Ginger Shoji was the founder of the Revelstoke Community Christmas dinner. Almost 30 years since she first brought everyone together, the community event has endured 29 Christmases and a global pandemic, but it’s still going strong.
Local volunteer Stacie Byrne spoke about what to expect from the event, stressing that the meals are not just for those in need.
“We get about 21 turkeys and 14 hams, and sacks and sacks of potatoes. So, there is tons of food,” she said.
The dinner provides approximately 300 meals to community members through a combination of sit-in and delivery. The group encouraged those who can make it out in person to the Community Centre to do so, as it helps create a warm atmosphere. For those who cannot make it to the centre, volunteers will be making some deliveries, too.
Founded entirely by volunteers who wanted to contribute to the community over the holidays, the Revelstoke Community Dinner is only made possible by a nearly 70-person team of volunteers and generous donations from the community.
After a snowstorm last year and a couple of pandemic Christmases before that, the dinner is hoping to finally return to pre-pandemic participation with this year’s feast.
As the dinner approaches, Byrne said they are always looking for more donations and for more volunteers. While the dinner itself is on Dec. 25, Byrne explained they also need help with the set-up, which starts two days before.
Whether it’s working in the kitchen, packaging meals, delivering meals, or decorating the centre, Byrne said there’s still room for volunteers.
The Revelstoke Community Christmas Dinner will serve up its 29th annual meal on Monday, Dec. 25, from 1-3 p.m., at the Revelstoke Community Centre. The dinner is free and open to everyone.