1,000 Christmas meals to be served to Downtown Eastside homeless

Volunteers with a very big heart will be spending their Christmas Day serving lunches to the homeless in the Downtown Eastside on Christmas Day.

The Salvation Army Harbour Light says over 100 volunteers will be on-site to help prepare and serve a traditional turkey lunch for over 1,000 people coming through their doors at 119 East Cordova Street from 11 am to 2 pm.

And it is going to be quite an operation with cooks preparing 1,000 lbs of turkey, 300 lbs of stuffing, 75 litres of cranberry sauce, 300 litres of gravy, 400 lbs of mixed vegetables, a mountain of mashed potatoes, and over 125 pies with whipped cream.

Additionally, all diners will receive a special ‘sunshine bag’ that comes with a new pair of socks, gloves, and an orange.

“The Salvation Army Harbour Light is grateful for the generous support of the many donors and volunteers who make this community meal possible each year,” reads a release. “When we join together in serving hope, we are able to welcome more guests to share in holiday traditions.”

The facility already provides daily community meals, 136 year-round shelter beds, 29 detox beds, 55 residential addiction treatment beds, 40 correctional halfway house beds, 44 units of low-income housing, and a community drop-in centre.