Heaping helpings with a dollop of compassion
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/12/2022 (998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Siloam Mission’s annual Christmas lunch served up a warm and hearty meal with a side of comfort and joy.
“It’s really nice to see everyone and to be able to get together,” said Josh Parks, a first-time attendee who has been staying at Siloam’s Princess Street shelter for the past few weeks.
Parks said he was happy for the meal and to gather and visit with friends.
PRABHJOT SINGH LOTEY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Siloam Mission’s annual Christmas lunch served up a warm and hearty meal with a side of comfort and joy on Friday.
Carollers welcomed guests who were seated at dozens of round tables in the Stanley Street drop-in centre.
Plates loaded with turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings were served restaurant-style. Luke Thiessen, communications manager for Siloam Mission, said switching from the daily cafeteria-style service was an attempt to give guests a feeling of being home for the holidays.
“It’s a little warmer, a little friendlier. What we’re really going for is giving them a family Christmas meal experience that they might not have the opportunity to have outside of Siloam,” Thiessen said.
The number of guests this year almost doubled from last year: 700 meals, from last year’s 400 meals.
Thiessen said demand for Siloam’s services is on the rise. In the first 10 months of this year, the number of daily meals provided by Siloam increased by 122 per cent from last year.
The relaxing of COVID restrictions this year contributed to the increase, said Thiessen. He said the rise in food prices has also played a role.
“We’re seeing more people come to us who maybe haven’t come to us before, as well as some people who have recently moved into housing but now can’t afford food on top of their other living expenses,” said Thiessen.
Sydney Solis, the mission’s donor care team lead, said she hopes the meal makes guests feel cared about during a time of year that can be difficult.
“The holidays can be bittersweet. It’s either you’re the most happy of your life or the saddest, especially if you have struggles.”
Solis said providing space for guests to gather and enjoy a holiday meal together helps foster a sense of connection and community.
“For people who are struggling with homelessness, they may not have connections with their families and friends,” Solis said. “So an event like this, having this sense of community, it makes it feel like you’re a big family.”
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca