Free traditional turkey meals will be available in Red Deer on Christmas Day in celebration of the yuletide season.
Wesley and Leslie Langlois who own Mom’s Diner, at 3722 57th Ave., in Westpark Shopping Centre, are offering a free dinner.
Turkey meals can be picked up between 12 and 5 p.m, and meals will be delivered from 2 to 5 p.m. For delivery, people must leave a message at 403-986-1556 by Dec. 24.
Wesley said he expects to feed close to 300 people.
“We’ve got 10 turkeys so far. We’ll get busy Christmas Eve Day and get everything ready for Christmas Day,” Wesley said.
The diner fed about 100 people at Thanksgiving, and Wesley said he wanted to provide another free meal at Christmas in honour of his mother who died in October.
He said the community supports the restaurant, and the diner wants to support the community.
Christmas meals are available to anyone.
“A lot of people can’t have everyone over so they’re not going to be cooking turkeys. We can do it for them.”
Mustard Seed is hosting a sit-down meal, from 5 to 7 p.m., at 6002 54 Ave.
“What a gift to have people in for Christmas. We’re just delighted to be able to provide a safe meal for all Red Deerians who otherwise wouldn’t eat on Christmas day,” said Laura Unruh, acting managing director for central Alberta at Mustard Seed.
“It will be done in small, appropriately distanced groups, following all the necessary guidelines from AHS. Because we are deemed an essential service, we’ll still to able to provide meals to our guests that way.”
About 100 people are expected. About 20 will be allowed in at once for half-hour sittings. To-go meals can also be provided.
This year Red Deer’s Salvation Army has provided food to the agency instead of offering a separate Christmas meal.
Maj. Kent Hepditch, of the Salvation Army, said partnering with Mustard Seed and providing one meal is safer during the pandemic.
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Unruh said the public has been generous in their donations this season to help those in need.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the community,” she said.
Red Deer Curling Centre will also offer Fresh Christmas Dinners for those that won’t be able to join their families and friends over the Christmas holidays. The deadline to sign up was Dec. 18. Meals were $25 each, with proceeds going to Junior Curling Academy.