Many of the people enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army in Williams Lake Friday said it was one of the best meals they’d had in a long time.
“God is good to us,” George Fletcher said as he enjoyed his meal with a group of friends.
Chef Shaun Weaver, who volunteers his talents every Friday, pulled out all the stops cooking nine turkeys, a huge maple ham, baked potatoes, stuffing, Greek salad, cooked vegetables and an array of desserts.
“I started cooking the turkeys beforehand on Wednesday,” he said.
Several local RCMP officers traded in the red serge for crimson aprons and joined volunteers from Interior Health, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the community to serve the sit-down meal.
Before he received his meal, Alexander Courterielle said he was glad the temperature had warmed up a bit.
“It was cold out this morning,” he said with a smile.
Family services and outreach worker Tamara Robinson said they were prepared to feed 200 people and in the end said they fed 162 people.
“It was fantastic,” Robinson said. “Folks took food home and we had hams to give away to everyone that came to us through Foodbanks BC. They had contacted us earlier to say that Maple Leaf Canada is donating hams to communities impacted by the wildfires.”
Any food banks that were affected by the wildfires got first dibs on how many hams they thought they would need, Robinson said.
The Salvation Army will be serving a Christmas Dinner in December and a volunteer appreciation dinner in January, Weaven said.
Robinson said the kettle campaign will be underway again this year so if anyone is interested in volunteering they are asked to call 250-392-2423 extension 208 or 210.
