The Williams Lake Salvation Army and volunteers brought Christmas to those in need this year with a hot turkey dinner to share with the community.
"We do a community Christmas dinner every year...just to show love to our community and feed our people," said Tamara Robinson, community ministries director with the Salvation Army.
The annual event brings together about 25 volunteers who help cook, serve and clean as community members enjoy a feast which includes turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce and pie. All the food is donated by City Furniture and Appliances, who have been doing so for nine years.
"There's a lot of people this time of year that don't have any family, have no where to go and so that's why we do this event to make sure that everyone is able to partake in a Christmas meal," Robinson said.
On average, the Salvation Army serves between 70 to 80 lunches per day in Williams Lake through its free lunch program. The organizations also gives out food hampers, and this year over 700 people applied for Christmas assistance.
Robinson told the Tribune the number of people accessing Salvation Army services is growing, with new faces amounting to a 20 per cent increase.
There are all sorts of reasons why people are accessing their services but the economy is really tough on people at the moment, Robinson said. Even when both parents in a family are working, it can still be difficult to make ends meet.
"But we're here to help...they're part of our family," she said.
The Salvation Army will be closed for the next week, but will reopen on Jan. 3 with regular programs.
