Thanksgiving Season Marks the Launch of New Community Meal in Calgary

Just before the Thanksgiving long weekend, The Salvation Army’s Glenmore Temple will start an initiative to bring neighbours together around the dinner table.

Beginning Oct. 7, it will host a free community meal on the first Wednesday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m.

The goal is to encourage connection. Launching it on the eve of Thanksgiving is fitting, as it is a time when people and families come together.

“We want to bring everyone around our table so they have an opportunity to chat and get to know each other better,” says Major Dena Hepditch, pastor at Glenmore Temple.

The idea for the community meal grew from seeing different groups of people interacting at church. Major Dena found it meaningful to see longtime members connecting with participants of The Salvation Army’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program every Sunday, despite communication barriers.

“While this program will help people facing food insecurity, it is not just for them,” Major Dena explains. “We intend to bring in everybody.”

Working families, newcomers, church members, volunteers, seniors, food bank clients and those experiencing homelessness are all welcome to attend.

“We aim to get people from all walks of life to come,” Major Dena adds.

These meals will also allow The Salvation Army to learn more about its neighbours and introduce them to programs and services available, such as senior initiatives, youth groups and grief support.

Volunteers from the ESL program and members of the church will help prepare and serve dinner.

Glenmore Celebrates Thanksgiving

While the community meal will be an ongoing event, Glenmore Temple has also planned a specific activity to commemorate Thanksgiving.

During the church service on Oct. 11, the congregation will collect new socks and underwear. These items will be given to The Salvation Army’s outreach team in Calgary, which will distribute them to individuals living on the streets who need basic necessities.

Major Dena hopes to make the donation experience memorable by encouraging attendees to throw their packages into large baskets, similar to the popular holiday charity tradition of a teddy bear toss.

“There should be joy in giving. We can make it fun,” she says. “It’s a small gift on our part, but it could mean the world to someone without them.”

By Juan Romero