鈥楾he 琉璃神社 Gospel Mission is filling the bellies of the those in need for Easter.

Volunteers prepared 50 turkeys, 300 pounds of potatoes and 21 hams to be served at 琉璃神社鈥檚 Gospel Mission Saturday, April 15th. The free meal will be served at 259 Leon Ave from 12 to 6 p.m.

Visitor Scott Milnthorp attended the meal to be able to show his family how to get back from living on the streets.

鈥淚 used to stay here right before Christmas time. Since that was Jesus鈥� birth and the other part of Jesus I鈥檓 here to enjoy too. The resurrection I think they called it.鈥�

Milnthorp and his family enjoyed a meal of potatoes, vegetables, buns, coffee, ham and even desert at the Mission鈥檚 lunch.

Executive director Randy Benson said their numbers have increased for the meal over the years. This year, the Gospel Mission served approximately 750 people.

鈥淥ur cooks have gotten pretty good at it so they start a few weeks in advance cooking turkeys and getting everything ready. The day they鈥檙e busy serving, but they do a great job in prep,鈥� said Benson. 鈥淥ur North American culture generally celebrates Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter as family and community and we aim to have that experience of family and a get-together.鈥�

The Mission has been holding the dinners for more than 30 years.

Mayor Colin Basaran, NDP candidate Shelley Cook, MP Stephen Fuhr and MLA鈥檚 Steve Thomson and Norm Letnick were also in attendance, helping hand out food.