The Altona Community Christmas Dinner returns for another year of fellowship and food on Christmas Day.
Last year’s gathering—back with new organizers after a year’s break—served up 533 meals, shared Margarita Campos-Rosa, who is heading up the planning committee alongside Rebecca Wiens.
“It was amazing,” she said. “We serve the whole of the RM of Rhineland, Altona. We also had families that came in from Miami, from Morden-Winkler, perhaps because they have relatives either at the care home or through Blue Sky, so they’ll pick them up and bring them, because we are accessible.”
This year’s meal takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25 at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre in Altona. There is no set admission fee, though donations are gratefully accepted to help cover costs.
“This dinner is for everyone,” Campos-Rosa stressed. “It’s for the senior who maybe their children are celebrating Christmas with the families they’ve created and they will be hosting Christmas on a different day; we would love to have them on the 25th. It’s for someone who’s new here, who might not have family here; we would love to host them. It’s for the single parent who’s maybe experiencing Christmas a little differently this year.
“Whatever your beliefs are, whether you’re from here or not, if you are a human being, you are welcome,” she said. “Everyone is welcome, regardless of their situation—just come enjoy some community, some laughs, some memories.”
The supper is truly a community-driven event, with an army of volunteers coming together the week before Christmas to get everything ready for the big day.
“We host little mini community events that give people an opportunity to feel like they are a host in this,” Campos-Rosa said, noting on Dec. 23 a group of seniors and youth will be gathering to make this year’s table centrepieces. A few days earlier, on the afternoon of Dec. 17, volunteers will be in The Community Exchange’s kitchen baking desserts.
The effort can always use more help, both on Christmas Day or in the lead-up to it.
“We definitely need volunteers,” Campos-Rosa said, noting they’ve put a call out for people willing to help with kitchen prep and cleanup, greeting and serving guests, helping with setup and take down, cooking the turkey and ham in advance, and playing music. “If you can’t come on the day, you can be involved in our protein prep days, you can be involved in the set up, you can donate pastries and dainties—there’s so many different ways to get involved.”
To volunteer your time, email altonachristmasdinner@gmail.com or call 1-204-304-1339. That’s also the contact information if you need a ride to the dinner, as volunteer drivers will be available to ensure everyone who wants to come is able to get there.
Monetary donations are also most welcome, Campos-Rosa said, noting they work hard to keep the money as local as possible.
“Last year we reached a 90 per cent locally-sourced goal that we kind of had in-house,” she said. “This year we’re hoping to beat it, and we seem to be on track to do so.
Campos-Rosa shared that many local businesses have really stepped up to help support their efforts, and they’re grateful for their help.
Donations can be made at the Access Credit Union Altona branch. You can also reach Campos-Rosa at 1-204-304-6338 to discuss sponsorships or other donation opportunities.
