If there’s one thing people can count on at Christmas time, it’s the Salvation Army Christmas dinner.
Going strong for longer than Major Larry Bridger can remember, the Sally Ann has served up a warm plate of traditional Christmas food for anyone who needs it on Dec. 25.
On Christmas day this year, starting at noon, at the Salvation Army Church, 4837 54th St., there will be a turkey dinner, “with all the fixings.”
“We’ll be ready,” said Bridger. “We have people calling in to ask to volunteer in September, every year we have plenty of volunteers so we’re doing really well on that front.”
Bridger said last year they served about 210 meals, and they’re preparing for maybe more given they served 270 dinners at Thanksgiving this year.
Again this year Associated Cabs has volunteered to deliver meals to shut-ins or other people who can’t make it to the dinner.
Dinner will be served until about 1:30 p.m. so the volunteers can go home for Christmas.
If anyone would like to receive a Christmas dinner, at no cost, from the Salvation Army they need to call by the end of this week at 403-346-2251.
Over at Loaves and Fishes, Christmas dinners have been served up all month, with two already in the bag, and two more to go for the rest of the month.
Sheila Frank, an outreach worker, said they have mixed up the food, serving up a ham dinner the last time and have a turkey and roast beef dinner still to come.
The two still to come take place on Friday, and then on Dec. 23, both starting at 5 p.m.
“They’ve been fairly well attended,” said Frank.
“Because of the weather we’re not as busy as some years and it is definitely hard for families to get out.”
Anyone is welcome for the Loaves and Fishes Christmas dinner, at 6002 54th Ave.
At each dinner they also give out items, last dinner Christmas stocking were given to adults, other times they will give out scarves, headbands and mittens and toys.
“Of course we have things for the kids, we have presents and stockings for them,” said Frank, adding they haven’t had that many children come out.
For the 11th year, Abacus Datagraphics put on its Christmas dinner, serving 502 people at the Gaetz Memorial United Church on Saturday.
Joanne Fleming Ruholl, the dinner co-ordinator, said they had 28 turkeys and 18 hams, and any food that wasn’t served was taken to Loaves and Fishes. Hoodies and toys were given out to attendees.
“Everybody got a present, everybody got good food,” said Fleming Ruholl. “I think it turned out really well.
“We peeled 460 pounds of potatoes.”
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com