By the end of the night they will have fed 500, and for those that don香蕉视频直播檛 have much, a warm meal lovingly prepared by a stranger can go a long way.
On Saturday, Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Gospel Mission took to the road to distribute warm turkey dinners to those in need. One of their first stops was a gravel parking lot on Baillie Avenue, where dozens of people eagerly accepted their gift.
That night, they distributed about 400 meals to those on the streets. Some of their meals were also delivered to other shelters and supportive housing units around town.
Each meal included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, topped off with a slice of pie.
On Baillie Avenue, a line of people waiting for meals formed. Some put their meal into a backpack and walked or rode off, while others immediately started eating.
Story continues below.
With arms linked, Gary Baker and Stephanie Hermiston quietly stood in line together. After receiving their meal they thanked the volunteers, wished them a Merry Christmas and walked back to their tent which was situated close by.
Baker finished his meal quickly. Hermiston savoured it. Both agreed it meant a lot.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 survival,香蕉视频直播� said Baker.
香蕉视频直播淗e said it - I was hungry, I know it meant a lot to me right now,香蕉视频直播� added Hermiston.
After finishing their meal they leaned against each other in the cold and chatted about what time they were going to be woken up in the morning, and where they would go next.
Asked how they were feeling with Christmas just around the corner, they looked at each other and smiled. Baker said he香蕉视频直播檚 happy to have a new partner. Stephanie agreed but admitted the holidays can be depressing. She wished she was with her kids.
Story continues below.
Back at the Gospel Mission shelter on Leon Avenue, about 60 sat down together to eat. At the 40-bed winter shelter on Doyle Avenue, they did the same.
For some, it香蕉视频直播檚 a glimmer of happiness during a dreary and depressing season.
香蕉视频直播淣obody wants to spend Christmas at a shelter; not if they can help it. So if you香蕉视频直播檙e here at Christmas, it香蕉视频直播檚 probably not because you香蕉视频直播檙e having the best season of your life,香蕉视频直播� said Carmen Rempel, Gospel Mission executive director.
Story continues below.
Rempel said they do everything they can to honour their residents, and celebrate Christmas with them tactfully, to prevent emotional hurt.
香蕉视频直播淚 was just in there now talking to one who was so sad. And I asked him why. Because he香蕉视频直播檚 usually a very 香蕉视频直播榰p香蕉视频直播� guy 香蕉视频直播� he looks at me and says, 香蕉视频直播楥armen, it香蕉视频直播檚 just this time of year. It香蕉视频直播檚 just the season. It香蕉视频直播檚 supposed to be happy and it香蕉视频直播檚 supposed to be merry and bright, but it香蕉视频直播檚 not.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淪o the reason we do this is so that we have a little bit of merry and bright.香蕉视频直播�
That evening, the Gospel Mission residents felt a sense of family.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 an opportunity for people who are really down and low, to have some normalcy and comradery,香蕉视频直播� said Sonja Menyes, manager of volunteers at the Gospel Mission.
Story continues below.
Due to COVID-19, shelters have not been able to welcome guests. While volunteers would normally come in to help prepare the meal and decorate the shelters, this year that duty fell on the residents.
However, that was welcomed, as the opportunity to help brought a sense of dignity.
香蕉视频直播淭hey have become a little family. They support one another, and they香蕉视频直播檙e all helping out 香蕉视频直播� this is their Christmas. Not even something they香蕉视频直播檙e just receiving via charity. This is their celebration,香蕉视频直播� said Rempel.
In a place mat on a table, a message from a donor reads, 香蕉视频直播楲ove is all you need.香蕉视频直播�
Story continues below.
This year has undoubtedly resulted in far more challenges for many, but for individuals at the Gospel Mission, there香蕉视频直播檚 an upside. Due to the lower numbers of people coming and going, this group of 60 on Leon Avenue has coalesced into 香蕉视频直播榮omething quite special.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淲e see more and more guys who have become stable. There香蕉视频直播檚 guys who would have been considered a year ago to be absolutely unhouseable, because their mental health was at such a state that made it really impossible to have any sort of stability,香蕉视频直播� said Rempel.
A calm and peace has come over the mission, allowing many to heal and move forward in their recovery journey.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
