Volunteers organizing free meals, gathering with activities on Christmas Day for those in need of food, warmth, company
Newmarket resident Debi Hatton said she sees many in the community who need some help.
Over the past three years, she said things have been tough. She has seen evidence of that as she drives around town and by the traffic at the community fridge by the Newmarket Public Library.
It made her want to do something to help, which is why she started a community Christmas dinner.
“Things are very dismal right now, and I just thought that maybe this is a way the world could change. Just at a grassroots level, people helping people,” she said.
Hatton is organizing a third annual community Christmas meal Dec. 25 at the Newmarket Community Centre downtown. Volunteers are offering a free meal to anyone in need on Christmas Day, with the offering expanded to include both a light breakfast and a hearty lunch this year.
Hatton said volunteers buy and prepare the meals through donations, with any excess funds going to food gift cards to people in need.
Newmarket needs help like this, Hatton said. But there is also a benefit for the volunteers who participate.
“Christmas is difficult for a lot of people. It’s a very emotionally charged holiday and I have found through doing this, all the volunteers that come out and help prepare there because Christmas is difficult for them, as well,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to give people somewhere to go and something to do. To be at service and feel good about themselves.”
In previous years, they have prepared to serve more than 200 meals, she said. While they had a lot of leftovers last year, she said they packed those dinners to the community fridge and also donated to Inn From the Cold and Blue Door “so nothing ever goes to waste.”
This year, they also expanded to include breakfast and allow people to be there for the full day, with a craft area for kids, board games and cards available.
“Just have a place where people can go and hang out and not be alone on Christmas and be warm,” Hatton said.
You can donate to support this event through its GoFundMe page. Organizers are also looking for gently-used winter clothing for a clothing drive, and those clothing donations can be dropped off at Market Brewery or Roadhouse and Roads Funeral Home. You can also volunteer by emailing [email protected].