Many hands will come together on Christmas Day to provide a sumptuous holiday meal for Guelph citizens who need good company and good food on the special day.
Both the Dublin Street United Church, at 68 Suffolk Street, at Dublin, and the Welcome In Drop- In Centre at 23 Gordon St., will fling open their doors. Dozens will volunteer to serve.
“There are so many people who want to give of their time, and that speaks to the spirit of giving,” said Rev. Bruce Dickson, minister at Dublin Street United. “It is so good to give, and this is a good way to do that.”
The annual Christmas dinner, which starts at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday in the church’s auditorium, is expected to attract about 100 guests. It is put on in conjunction with The Life Centre, part of Royal City Church on Quebec Street.
Among the guests will be Guelph’s marginalized citizens — the cold, hungry and homeless. As well, the event brings out many who simply want to be with others at Christmas, Dickson said.
“We have those who are hurting and impoverished,” Dickson said. “And there are also people who are coming because they want to be with someone else on Christmas.”
Single people, couples, seniors, and international students have attended past events. They may find Christmas to be a lonely time, and being with others helps lessen those feelings.
“My sense is that people want to be with others at Christmas,” Dickson said, adding that the atmosphere at the event is always very warm and uplifting.
“It is bringing people together,” he said.
The number of people requesting to volunteer for the event always exceeds the numbers needed to serve in that capacity. And it is quite common for unexpected acts of giving to take place.
The Drop-In Centre’s Christmas Day meal is at noon, but there are also meals being served at noon on Christmas Eve, and noon on Boxing Day.
“Many individuals are on their own at Christmas as they have been disconnected from family,” said the centre’s executive director Gail Hoekstra in an email. “Being with others that are in this same situation is very important to help soften the emotional aspect that this may bring up.”
A great many donations have come in to help with the meals, she added — so much so that there will be a gift given to every person who attends.
“It is a very joyful vibe over Christmas, which helps people to feel okay for those few hours — respite from the day to day grind people face,” she added.
Jaya James is the director of Lakeside HOPE House in downtown Guelph. She said many of the people that find solace and support at HOPE will be attending the Dublin Street United Christmas dinner.
“People enjoy spending time with family and/or friends over the holidays,” she said in an email. “For those who are isolated from their family and friends the holidays can be a really hard time. That is why it is so important that organizations such as The Drop-In Centre and Dublin Street United Church offer spaces were people can come together, share a meal and support one another.”
There will be other places to find good company in the city on Christmas Day. The Guelph Civic Museum is open from 10 a.m., with its popular Five Decades: Ken Dandy exhibition among the attractions.
Sparkles in the Park, which always attracts a crowds, will light up at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday in Riverside Park. And the Market Square skating rink will be open all day and into the night, starting at 10 a.m.
Guelph Transit will offer a limited service, with buses operating on a 60-minute schedule from 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Mobile service runs between the same hours. Mobility dispatch will be closed, and there will be no community bus service.
All other city facilities will be closed.
