EDMONTON- After some question as to whether or not it would go ahead this year, a diner in Old Strathcona is once again going to be serving a warm Christmas meal to Edmontonians in need on Tuesday.
The free Christmas dinner will mark the 13th time B’s Diner has hosted such a dinner, one that feeds about 300 people every year.
“I want to thank the community for allowing me to carry on the tradition, hoping that I can make it into the 14th one,” said Brenda Der, owner of B’s Diner.
Because of an unforeseen family emergency, the person who had sponsored the dinner in years past, wasn’t able to this year. Der put word out to the community that she would need help if the Christmas tradition was to continue and Edmontonians didn’t disappoint.
“I had to kind of figure out whether I would hold it or not. Then I decided if I don’t, I’m going to let down a lot of people. I realized that I couldn’t let them down.”
Der said people of all walks of life are pitching in to make Tuesday’s party a reality and that she received enough donations to do even more for Edmontonians in need this year.
“This year, aside from the party, we’re probably able to hand out 100 hampers to families in need,” she said.
All volunteer positions have now been filled, and one man offering his help said it’s a special event that he wanted to be a part of.
READ MORE: Edmonton diner desperate for donations ahead of big Christmas dinner
“It’s just a special treat to come together and have that camraderie and have that meal,” said volunteer Ken Purschke.
“The reason why it’s free for everybody, is to allow the people that don’t have and that have to get together and share stories even though they’re total strangers,” said Der. “To allow them just to come together and to have fun and celebration just for that one day.”
Der said the meal has taken on more meaning ever since she lost her son before Christmas in 2010. He was just 21 years old.
“I think from that one on, I really started putting my heart and soul into doing these Christmas parties and trying to make them more grand,” said Der. “It’s his energy that keeps me going.”
The dinner takes place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church which is located at 10014 81 Avenue.
Der is still accepting donations on the day of the party and said she is also hosting a clothing giveaway and is in need of men’s winter clothing.
For more information on how you can help, visit B’s Diner’s Facebook Page.
-with files from Shallima Maharaj and Caley Ramsay
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