An annual dinner that serves a warm meal to 1,000 Edmontonians in need may not go ahead this winter for the first time in 25 years.
Bissell Centre is in jeopardy of cancelling its annual New Year’s Day dinner because it hasn’t been able to find a partner to help cater the event.
“With the downturn in the economy, companies that have supported Bissell in the past unfortunately don’t have the capacity this year to help us out,” Charissa Hoppenbrouwers, manager of community participation and volunteer services at Bissell Centre, said.
“Our own commercial kitchen is too small to prepare the 1,000 meals needed.”
Hoppenbrouwers is worried if the meal is cancelled, those living on the streets in Edmonton will not have a safe, warm place to go for a meal on New Year’s Day. The traditional turkey dinner, which has been a staple for less fortunate Edmontonians for 25 years, comes complete with holiday stockings for everyone. There’s also live music.
Upwards of 120 volunteers come together to help set up the venue and help less fortunate Edmontonians start off the new year with a memorable day.
“It’s a great time to be with my friends to get together for a meal where there are no problems or worries,” Dorothy, a participant at Bissell Centre for 50 years, said. “I think people would be lost if there wasn’t a dinner this year because they are expecting it. They would feel like they have nowhere to go to eat.”
Last year’s dinner saw a spike in attendance, as Albertans dealt with a low-performing economy.
Watch below: The Bissell Centre said demand for its services is increasing as Alberta’s economic woes continue. Tom Vernon reports. (Filed Jan. 1, 2016).
The organization is actively looking for a catering partner for the dinner, which is the Bissell Centre’s largest annual event. Every day, Bissell Centre serves about 550 meals at its drop-in centre, child care facility and employment services centre.
If you are able to help out, you’re asked to call 780-423-2285 ext. 129.