The Saskatoon Friendship Inn fed a record number of people Monday for their annual Thanksgiving meal.
Every year, the Friendship Inn serves up a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone in need. This year more than two thousand people lined up to celebrate the holiday, which is a record for the community kitchen. Lynda Brazeau, Executive Director for the Friendship Inn, believes that the cost of living plays a major role in the increased numbers.
“I think with the housing market and the cost of living going up and wages not keeping up, a lot of people in our neighbourhood are really struggling with where they get their money for their grocery budget,” explained Brazeau.
56 turkeys, 220 pumpkin pies, and countless vegetables were donated to make Monday’s dinner a possibility. After a call was put out for butter for the meal, two dairy farmers donated farm-fresh butter so wouldn’t have to use margarine for their dinner rolls.
None of this would be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers. 46 people were serving up food, delivering plates and cleaning tables. Mickilyn Desjarlais volunteered her time Monday, and she knows how important places like the Friendship Inn are.
“I know what it’s like not to have a Thanksgiving meal,” said Desjarlais. “I wanted to show my kids that there are people out there who don’t have that chance either.”
The Friendship Inn prepares a special meal every year for Christmas and Easter in addition to Thanksgiving.
