Feast of Friends brings people together for fellowship on Christmas Day
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For many people Christmas Day is a time to be with family and friends, but for those in Tillsonburg who could not, there is The Salvation Army's Feast of Friends.
"There are always those on Christmas morning who are alone," said Major Rick Shirran. "Or can't afford to have a (Christmas) meal, and didn't get a hamper for whatever reason, and we'd like to get them together as family. So this event provides a good Christmas dinner together with friends."
Much of the food is donated, said Shirran.
"The people of Tillsonburg and area have been extremely generous to us."
Feast of Friends, now in its ninth year, outgrew The Salvation Army's hall after the first couple of years, and is held annually at North Broadway Baptist Church.
"We don't have any numbers of how many we are expecting," said Shirran, making final preparations for the 2-4 p.m. feast of turkey, stuffing, carrots, peas, mashed potatoes, cranberries, salad, and buns, with homemade pies for dessert. "We won't know until they come. I think we've prepared for about 120. And if people can't get here, they call us and we go pick them up."
Pies were prepared in advance by members of the The Salvation Army.
"I put out the call... some made one or two. One lady made six pies," said Donna Acre, Community Ministries Coordinator, who had about 20 volunteers Sunday afternoon setting up, serving food, and cleaning afterwards, from their church and the community.
In total, about 75-80 people were served at the 9th annual Feast of Friends.
"We had a lot of new families today and a lot of returning families, and they came from all over. Some have been coming every year for the past nine years. I have people coming from as far away as London.
"It's all about inclusion," Acre added, noting it's not a low-income event, it's a friendship event for people who alone on Christmas. "You can have lots of money and still be alone."
Christmas Day marks the end of a busy calendar for The Salvation Army with a Kettle Campaign that concluded Dec. 24th, which expected to meet its goal in Tillsonburg.
"This community is extremely generous," Acre nodded.
Hampers were prepared and delivered Dec. 21-23, and the Feast followed on Christmas Day.
"Some days it's really tiring," said Acre, "because I have so many other things to do, too. But once I get here, it's just fantastic. People are coming in saying 'Donna!' And giving me a big hug."
About 200 Salvation Army Christmas hampers were delivered this year, down a bit from recent years.
"We had a few that called late - and they were done too. You don't want to turn anyone away."
Salvation Army also coordinated an 'Adopt-a-Family' program with 27 families receiving Christmas packages.
"Usually it's the same groups of people that adopt families every year," said Acre.
Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Feast of Friends, and Acre said they want to do something special, but they haven't made plans yet.