Whitchurch-Stouffville
November 29, 2008 01:34 AM
Sandra Bolan
For people who have no family nearby, the holidays can be a very lonely time of year, especially Christmas Day when it seems the whole world gathers together at the dinner table with their families to enjoy a turkey dinner.
In Whitchurch-Stouffville no one is left out of enjoying a home cooked Christmas meal with all the trimmings thanks to the Stouffville Community Christmas Dinner at EastRidge Evangelical Missionary Church.
For the past 13 years, the Stouffville Country Market Christmas dinner committee has been bringing people together who may have otherwise been left alone on Christmas Day and serving them a feast.
“There are some that come back year after year, but there are some new faces (each year),” David Knight, chairperson for the Christmas dinner planning committee, said. “It’s not just economics, it’s lots of other things too like loneliness” that bring people to the annual dinner.
Every year, about 400 people fill the church to help and/or be served a full-course meal that includes ham, turkey, squash, potatoes, cranberry sauce and dessert. The dinner was held at the market for several years before moving to EastRidge.
Another 150 meals, on average, are brought to area shut-ins and seniors, thanks to volunteer drivers.
Not only do people who have dinner at EastRidge receive a free meal. They also get entertained beforehand and children are provided a craft table.
Following the noon meal, Santa arrives to hand out gifts.
There is no charge. Everyone is welcome.
If you know of someone who could use a meal delivered on Christmas Day, contact Anne Murray at 905-640-0948.
For people interested in volunteering and/or making a donation, call David Knight at 905-852-3534.
EastRidge church is at 12485 Tenth Line, beside the Stouffville Country Market.