This year would have marked the 20th anniversary of Prince Albert's Christmas Day Community Dinner. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Food hamper need expected to double this year in Prince Albert, says community dinner coordinator

Dec 1, 2021 | 10:00 AM

The coordinator of the annual Christmas Day community dinner in Prince Albert is calling out for help amid fears a lot of people may be going without this year.

Due to COVID-19, the annual event at St. Mary High School was cancelled last year, and in it’s place was a food hamper program which provided assistance to over 200 families. Isabelle Impey confirmed for paNOW they will repeat the program again this year.

“I suspect we are gonna get twice that amount,” she said.

The annual Christmas tradition represents a coordinated effort between multiple agencies including St. Vincent de Paul, the Prince Albert Food Bank, and St. Mary High School. Businesses such as Safeway have also helped cook the turkeys.

“I have over 200 volunteers and they are just a wonderful group of people that are calling and asking what’s happening,” Impey said.

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Adding to the challenges this year is the fact the Salvation Army has opted not to run a food hamper program this year, focusing instead on a toy collection drive. Impey said she is unaware of anyone else handing out hampers.

“The calls have certainly increased. We are getting calls from people saying well we are not going to have anything for Christmas,” she said.

Impey explained in the past too local businesses have been a big contributor, but due to their own COVID related struggles have informed her this year they are unable to help.

“It’s actually overwhelming to think about all the people that are gonna go without,” she said.

Anyone wishing to help out or even donate a turkey, can reach Impey at 980-7794; Angie at 940-4241 or Wellington at 940-4622. The registration deadline for clients will be Dec. 20, and volunteers will work up until Dec. 23 delivering the hampers. Impey said she’s very grateful for all the support they receive.

“I always say our community Christmas dinner belongs to the citizens of Prince Albert,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell