Ottawa Mission serves 3,022 Thanksgiving meals
While many people are enjoying a relaxing day off, volunteers at the Ottawa Mission spent Thanksgiving Monday serving thousands of pounds of food.
The shelter says its volunteers served 3,022 plates of turkey dinner during the five-and-a-half hour event, making it one of the busiest holiday dinners at the mission.
Even before the first plate of turkey and mashed potatoes made it out of the kitchen there was a lineup of people waiting for a hot meal.
One of the first people to snag a table was Mario Lalonde, along with his girlfriend and her children.
Mario Lalonde
Mario Lalonde has been coming to the Ottawa Mission’s meals for years. (CBC)
For Lalonde it’s not just about a free hot meal but the chance to introduce his new family to the friends he made during his 15 years living in a rooming house.
“I met a friend of mine I haven’t seen in 14 years. Another friend for 32 years I’ve known him, he shows up today. So it’s good to see old faces. This is my second family. That’s what I’m lacking is love. I need this to keep the spirit and move forward,” he said.
‘I need this to keep the spirit and move forward.’
– Mario Lalonde
Lalonde says it’s days like this that keep his depression and anxiety at bay.
“I’m happy today. I wasn’t very happy yesterday but today I feel great,” he said.
The Ottawa Mission opens its doors on Thanksgiving to anyone who is hungry, not just those staying at the shelter. Executive director Peter Tilley said they often see single mothers and families come in.
“People who normally can’t afford to put on a Thanksgiving dinner — they know we put a great one on,” he said. “On a nice day like this people like to get out and make the effort to walk the streets to get here. Even if they’re with a walker or a wheelchair, they’ll come out today.”
The meal kicked off with a prayer and roaring applause for the volunteers, including Rideau-Vanier city councillor Mathieu Fleury and Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau
“I’ve just been going around to the tables and the thing strikes me the most is the gratitude. The sense of gratitude from so many who have so little. It’s a blessing,” said Tilley.
And like many other family dinners this weekend, there’s one topic not far from everyone’s mind
“We’re hoping RA Dickey’s knuckleball is moving,” said Tilley. “Go Jays.”
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