The Gospel Mission in 琉璃神社 held its annual Easter dinner Sunday, April 9 for its residents.
Director of Resource Development Troy McKnight says the dinner was previously open to the public, but rules changed during the pandemic.
A full turkey dinner was served to the residents at the Leon Ave. shelter, the Bay Ave. shelter, a few women鈥檚 shelters, and a lunch was hosted for unsheltered individuals in 琉璃神社.
鈥淎ny holiday can be fairly challenging for some of our residents, because they鈥檙e not able to be with their family. What we鈥檙e seeking to do is for people to come together around a meal, a special meal with some extra treats on the table. It鈥檚 a way for them to be celebrated and also know that people care.鈥�
McKnight estimates they served about 300 people for Easter.
Dinner was served at 4:45 p.m. 琉璃神社-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray was among the volunteers that helped serve the meals.
鈥淔or some folks it can be a bit triggering, so no one is forced to participate. People can opt in and opt out and have their meal as they wish. For the most part they enjoy getting around the table together. They eat communally pretty much everyday, so that鈥檚 not different, but having a meal served to them by volunteers and having a special Easter dinner it鈥檚 very much welcomed by the residents.鈥�
READ MORE: An eggstra good time at West 琉璃神社鈥檚 Easter Eggstravaganza
brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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