By the end of the night they will have fed 500, and for those that don91裸聊视频檛 have much, a warm meal lovingly prepared by a stranger can go a long way.

On Saturday, Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Gospel Mission took to the road to distribute warm turkey dinners to those in need. One of their first stops was a gravel parking lot on Baillie Avenue, where dozens of people eagerly accepted their gift.

That night, they distributed about 400 meals to those on the streets. Some of their meals were also delivered to other shelters and supportive housing units around town.

Each meal included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, topped off with a slice of pie.

On Baillie Avenue, a line of people waiting for meals formed. Some put their meal into a backpack and walked or rode off, while others immediately started eating.

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With arms linked, Gary Baker and Stephanie Hermiston quietly stood in line together. After receiving their meal they thanked the volunteers, wished them a Merry Christmas and walked back to their tent which was situated close by.

Baker finished his meal quickly. Hermiston savoured it. Both agreed it meant a lot.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 survival,91裸聊视频� said Baker.

91裸聊视频淗e said it - I was hungry, I know it meant a lot to me right now,91裸聊视频� added Hermiston.

After finishing their meal they leaned against each other in the cold and chatted about what time they were going to be woken up in the morning, and where they would go next.

Asked how they were feeling with Christmas just around the corner, they looked at each other and smiled. Baker said he91裸聊视频檚 happy to have a new partner. Stephanie agreed but admitted the holidays can be depressing. She wished she was with her kids.

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Back at the Gospel Mission shelter on Leon Avenue, about 60 sat down together to eat. At the 40-bed winter shelter on Doyle Avenue, they did the same.

For some, it91裸聊视频檚 a glimmer of happiness during a dreary and depressing season.

91裸聊视频淣obody wants to spend Christmas at a shelter; not if they can help it. So if you91裸聊视频檙e here at Christmas, it91裸聊视频檚 probably not because you91裸聊视频檙e having the best season of your life,91裸聊视频� said Carmen Rempel, Gospel Mission executive director.

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Rempel said they do everything they can to honour their residents, and celebrate Christmas with them tactfully, to prevent emotional hurt.

91裸聊视频淚 was just in there now talking to one who was so sad. And I asked him why. Because he91裸聊视频檚 usually a very 91裸聊视频榰p91裸聊视频� guy 91裸聊视频� he looks at me and says, 91裸聊视频楥armen, it91裸聊视频檚 just this time of year. It91裸聊视频檚 just the season. It91裸聊视频檚 supposed to be happy and it91裸聊视频檚 supposed to be merry and bright, but it91裸聊视频檚 not.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淪o the reason we do this is so that we have a little bit of merry and bright.91裸聊视频�

That evening, the Gospel Mission residents felt a sense of family.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 an opportunity for people who are really down and low, to have some normalcy and comradery,91裸聊视频� said Sonja Menyes, manager of volunteers at the Gospel Mission.

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Due to COVID-19, shelters have not been able to welcome guests. While volunteers would normally come in to help prepare the meal and decorate the shelters, this year that duty fell on the residents.

However, that was welcomed, as the opportunity to help brought a sense of dignity.

91裸聊视频淭hey have become a little family. They support one another, and they91裸聊视频檙e all helping out 91裸聊视频� this is their Christmas. Not even something they91裸聊视频檙e just receiving via charity. This is their celebration,91裸聊视频� said Rempel.

In a place mat on a table, a message from a donor reads, 91裸聊视频楲ove is all you need.91裸聊视频�

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This year has undoubtedly resulted in far more challenges for many, but for individuals at the Gospel Mission, there91裸聊视频檚 an upside. Due to the lower numbers of people coming and going, this group of 60 on Leon Avenue has coalesced into 91裸聊视频榮omething quite special.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e see more and more guys who have become stable. There91裸聊视频檚 guys who would have been considered a year ago to be absolutely unhouseable, because their mental health was at such a state that made it really impossible to have any sort of stability,91裸聊视频� said Rempel.

A calm and peace has come over the mission, allowing many to heal and move forward in their recovery journey.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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