It's better to give than to receive, as they say.
That's the mindset the Trinity Community Table and 519 Community Collective are taking in the lead up to Christmas Day as they prepare free meals for those in need this weekend.
The TCT will welcome the community on Dec. 22 at 12 Blair Rd with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and lunch being served from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The 519 Community Collective is running its Christmas Eve dinner at 26 Ainslie St. S. from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bonny Jensen, chair of the TCT, is excited to be giving back again this year.
"It's a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings," Jensen said.
"Plus, guests will leave with a gift and treat bag, as well as a to-go meal because some people don't know when their next meal will come."
Jensen admits it's a team effort to feed all the people in attendance.
The all hands on deck approach includes assistance from other local organizations fighting food insecurity.
"We've been doing this for 31 years and have the ability to do it thanks to the two food banks," she said.
"They've made procuring the food much easier."
For 519 Community Collective, its noticed an increase in individuals accessing its services over the past few years.
The organization already puts on two meals during the week on Thursday and Sunday throughout the year and it's not uncommon to serve over 200 people per day, Nicole Bolotovsky, manager of 519 Community Collective, said.
On Sunday, Bolotovsky is expecting around 400 for the take-out style meal, with any leftovers being delivered to The Bridges.
"We'll be serving people who are unhoused, seniors, singles and families," she said.
"We're also getting a lot of international students because people are trying to survive and make ends meet. Our policy is no questions asked, anyone who comes in hungry can eat."
Final preparations are underway but volunteers are still being accepted, especially to help serve.
Having been a part of the event for a few years, Bolotovsky understands the important role volunteers play in making it a welcoming environment.
"I hope a positive atmosphere is created," she said.
"People come in and you can see they’re anxious and unsure. We want it to have a caring, inviting feel. We’ve seen changes in the individuals that come. They come and they’re anxious and won’t talk but then it comes to a point where they start joking with you. When you see that, it’s great."
More important than just the food, Bolotovsky hopes people understand the struggles some are going through and have compassion.
She clearly recalls an email she received one year from someone who had attended the meal while living in an encampment. The individual is now married and living in another city with their life on track. It's moments like those that makes the hard work worth it, she said.
"Sometimes we we forget about our community members," she said.
"They're human beings like everyone else and are deserving of love and respect. Kindness goes a long way."
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