Serving up a pared-down Thanksgiving

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This article was published 08/10/2021 (1484 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All the usual fixings, but fewer seats.

That’s how Winnipeg’s soup kitchens and missions will serve Thanksgiving dinner to homeless and vulnerable people this holiday weekend.

When Siloam Mission hosted its lunch Friday, just over 100 people were allowed to sit in its large Stanley Street dining hall at a time, which can accommodate as many as 400 people.

Rather than letting people mingle after they ate, diners were ushered out to allow others — about 500 or 600 in total — to savour turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy — and pumpkin pie.

That’s different from last year, when the mission gave takeout meals to most, and the core group of about 60 who lived at the shelter full time dined in.

“It feels really good to be able to do something that’s a little closer to normal, especially for this holiday meal. I mean, that’s the point of it, people can gather and have something that feels more like a homecooked meal, a little more like eating with family,” said Siloam communications manager Luke Thiessen.

Masks are required to enter the mission and there is plenty of hand sanitizer stations. Staff cleaned tables and other surfaces between sittings.

Only three people were allowed per table, rather than the usual eight. But because the mission and others like it are considered essential by the province, the diners didn’t need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, Thiessen said.

Union Gospel Mission on Princess Street will host a reduced-capacity sit-in lunch Saturday, with about 60 people allowed in at one time for three sittings, which is up from about 30 per meal last year.

“We do make sure that everybody sanitizes their hands when they come in, and are wearing masks — all those things,” said Union Gospel senior chaplain Mark Kelm.

“It’s a time to give people hope when they really need it. It’s a time of year when people, they realize the losses that they have… and we’re glad to have the opportunity to bring some love and care to them.”

Patrons won’t need to show proof of vaccination at Union Gospel either, but the mission plans to have a mobile vaccination clinic on site during the holiday lunch.

“People will be able to get vaccinated if they want to as well,” Kelm said.

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army and Agape Table opted for takeout meals, the same as last Thanksgiving.

The army handed out 370 takeout turkey dinners at its 324 Logan Ave. location on Thursday, rather than allow anyone to eat inside because of size constraints.

“Still had the works,” said Lieut. Brian Dueck of the meal doled out to those who needed it.

Agape Table gave about 500 people a clamshell of holiday fixings to go on Thursday and Friday, and plans to feed another 500 Monday.

“At the end of the day, you take something out of it because you’re able to provide the marginalized community with a very nutritious meal… we don’t know if they’re going to eat over the weekend,” said Dave Feniuk, the non-profit’s general manager.

“We’ll top it up again on Monday.”

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera