For over 10 years, residents in the Happy Valley neighbourhood of Langford have been able to enjoy a Christmas concert on their doorsteps, in exchange for a can of soup, a packet of pasta or box of cereal.
Singing for their supper are members of the Jubilee Christian Community Church. But the food they collect isn't for them, it's for the Goldstream Food Bank.
The group, who are known as the Turnstone subdivision of the Jubilee church, have been meeting annually to keep the old tradition of carolling alive, while also lending their support to the community.
Organized by James Roy, who is a teacher at Spencer Middle School, the group stops at the homes of residents in the Happy Valley neighbourhood who have registered their interest in a visit from the festive group.
Braving the cold on Dec. 6, the carollers gathered again to embark on their festive mission.
The idea is simple, says Roy: come together as a group to socialize, sing, spread holiday cheer and support the Goldstream Food Bank.
The annual tradition has become a holiday favourite for residents in the neighbourhood, who eagerly await their arrival armed with donations of non-perishable food items.
Some residents also greet the singers with trays of home-baked treats to keep them energized for the rest of the evening. A welcome perk says church pastor Bob Greene.
But the true meaning of the evening is to support those in the community struggling with the rising cost of living.
“That's the biggest part of it,” said Susan Lai, who had joined the Turnstone carollers for the first time. “We’re not just called to say things, we're supposed to do things too.”
After a successful night of carolling, Roy made a beeline for the food bank the very next day to drop off the haul of donations, where he was welcomed by volunteer Richard Weiss.
The Goldstream Food Bank has recently been appealing for donations to support the community.
So far in 2024 the organization has seen demand for their services continue to rise, with a record number of 159 hampers distributed on one day in November.
