Over a thousand hungry people will get a taste of turkey this weekend thanks to a charity in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Over the Thanksgiving long weekend, the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) will serve 1,400 Thanksgiving meals to the community. They will be available from Saturday October 9 to Monday October 11.
Meals will be served at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, on bank holiday Monday, they will serve lunch at 11 a.m. All turkey dinners will be served in take-out boxes in a take-out window as part of their COVID-19 security plan.
“Meals are also served and delivered to members of our community at our New West location, Mission and Surrey,†said Nicole Mussi of UGM.
“We know that our community – both homeless and addicted people, and those on the front lines are exhausted,†UGM’s Nadia Tchoumi said in a statement.
“This Thanksgiving meal gives us all the opportunity to feel hope for the future and gratitude for the good that has happened this year, despite the enormous amount of loss and suffering. We’re all in the same boat. “
The massive meal consists of 1200 lbs of turkey with 400 lbs of mashed potatoes served with gravy, vegetables and cranberry gravy. Do not forget the dessert either, because 285 pies will be distributed.
Working on Thanksgiving is Janice Szostak, a former student of the UGM Shrine Stabilization Program who is now employed by the charity.
“I’ve been in this queue before. I needed a meal, and I needed hope… that’s why I’m here – I want to give back, to give people a chance to see that life can get better, â€said Szostak in a press release.
Szostak shared his story and will help serve Thanksgiving meals to help others living in poverty, addiction and homelessness.
“Things can get better,†Szostak said. “I’m committed to making people feel precious – and I will on Thanksgiving, as I do every time I come to work. “
