Salvation Army Welcomes Hundreds for Christmas Lunch
On Christmas Day, The Salvation Army’s Vancouver Harbour Light will continue a yearly tradition. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Christmas lunch, part of its daily Community Meal program, will take place.
“We host this every year. For the Christmas lunch we get a few more guests than usual, so we are preparing 450 meals,” Cindy Cheung, community engagement coordinator at Vancouver Harbour Light, explains.
Although the community meals are offered daily, Harbour Light transforms its regular service for the holiday celebration. Instead of guests lining up for food, the event space is arranged to resemble a restaurant and volunteers serve meals directly at the tables.
“For some of our clients, this would be the only celebration they would have.”
“We decorate and have more than 50 volunteers bringing the meals right up to the guests,” Cindy adds. “It will look similar to a food court.”
The menu includes traditional holiday foods such as turkey, with music enhancing the festive atmosphere. A disc jockey will be on site and some Salvation Army staff members perform songs.
Some of the people attending the Christmas lunch are experiencing homelessness and many are not in close contact with family and friends.
“For some of our clients, Christmas is a confusing and difficult time. This would be the only celebration they would have,” says Cindy.
Since this annual gathering welcomes new faces, it also provides an opportunity for Salvation Army staff to share information about available programs and services.
Some members of the volunteer team are clients currently accessing shelter and transitional housing services at Harbour Light. Their involvement gives them an opportunity to give back and show others hope.
“Our community meals serve as a gateway to our residential programs,” Cindy shares. “They come in, meet our staff, get to see old friends doing well and that gives them motivation.”
“Our community meals serve as a gateway to our residential programs.”
The community meal program is possible thanks to the support of donors and volunteers. Having been involved in many Christmas lunches over the years, Cindy loves the atmosphere The Salvation Army is able to provide and believes it offers a positive contrast to life on the streets.
“When people come into our building, they feel warm and dry. They see staff and volunteers smiling at them,” Cindy adds. “Here we treat them with respect and dignity.”
By Juan Romero
