The annual Christmas Inn hosted by St. Andrew’s United Church saw a full house of guests on Dec. 25, all of which enjoyed and appreciated the donated traditional meal over the holiday.
“It was amazing,” said Carol Moran, who has organized the event for the last few years.
“The people that come are not just people that need a meal. There are people that haven't got extra people around or some of them are people that live alone here in Moose Jaw and their family has come in and their living situation doesn't allow for them to have a meal together,” continued Moran. “So, they come and join us and everybody visits and talks and introduces themselves.”
The Inn served turkey dinner to 184 guests this year, far more than was expected or tallied in previous years. The entire dinner was donated, with cash donations purchasing the core fixings for a traditional turkey dinner and a selection of desserts provided by the Moose Jaw Co-op free of charge.
Guests were even welcomed to take leftovers home with them, with plastic containers provided to pack up the remains of the feast.
“It just kind of finishes it off in a giving kind of way,” said Moran. “And it's a way to give back again because all the food is donated.”
Volunteers do all of the work to prepare and serve the meal, many of which return each year to help out.
“They're so easy to work with. It just makes it a joy to do this,” said Moran.
A large amount of cash donations was also collected at the door, and Moran felt very good about the generous feeling that encompassed the event.
“You can't be nervous and worried when you watch that many people doing such good work. It was just great,” said Moran.
The Christmas Inn is a tradition at St. Andrew’s that has been going on for over 40 years, and Moran and her volunteers are already looking forward to next year.
