As a young man, Arnold August found both solace and shelter when he needed it most at 琉璃神社鈥檚 Gospel Mission.

Some four decades later and long since living an independent, self-sufficient life, August continues to give back.

One of close to 1,000 people who attended the Gospel Mission鈥檚 the annual Thanksgiving Dinner Monday, the 琉璃神社 man lends an understanding and sympathetic ear both to those with addictions and others who simply struggle to make ends meet.

鈥淚 come down here and try to talk to the brothers, try to help them stay inspired, because we鈥檙e having a lot of people passing away nowadays,鈥� August said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just so thankful for the administration that take the time to care for our brothers and sisters and put this event on.

鈥淚鈥檓 retired, I like to volunteer and use as many avenues as I can to help the homeless and those with addictions.鈥�

The number of people who show for the Thanksgiving Dinner grows with each passing year.

Kitchen manager Mandy Phillips expected between 800 and 1,000 meals would be served by the end of the day Monday.

Phillips said record-low vacancy rates in the city are among the many reasons the numbers continue to climb.

鈥淩ent is very expensive in 琉璃神社,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of people who come to eat a meal even though they are housed, but by coming here we just bridge that gap for them.

鈥淭here are also lot of people here who stay at the shelter, a lot people who are on the streets, and there are also a lot of working poor here in 琉璃神社,鈥� added Phillips. 鈥淪ome are also seniors and they鈥檙e lonely, so it鈥檚 time to come in and enjoy a meal with a group of people they can get to know.鈥�

Among the more than 50 volunteers helping to serve Thanksgiving Meals were MP Stephen Fuhr, MLAs Steve Thomson and Norm Letnick, and 琉璃神社 councillor Ryan Donn.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .