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Our Place Society dishes up holiday cheer at annual Christmas lunch in Victoria

COVID-19 restrictions don’t stop celebratory event from providing a hearty meal for the hungry
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Our Place Society volunteers serve up Christmas lunch at the downtown service provider’s Dec. 22 event. (Photo by Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Our Place Society kicked off the holidays in gourmet style this year, treating clients to turkey, potatoes, stuffing and vegetables on Wednesday (Dec. 22) afternoon.

In Christmases past, the downtown Victoria organization has welcomed hundreds for a sit-down meal, but despite new restrictions, COVID-19 hasn’t robbed Our Place of good cheer. This year, a cafeteria-style meal – extended to two hours – accommodated close to 400 diners and left plenty of full stomachs.

“Our chefs are busy cooking turkey, smashing potatoes, mixing stuffing and peeling vegetables,” CEO Julian Daly said in a release. “All to make sure that we deliver a heaping plate of home-cooked deliciousness.”

No holiday meal is complete without dessert, so Rogers’ Chocolates donated treats for volunteers to hand out with dinner.

“Our Place has always been there for people going through difficult times – regardless of the reason,” Daly said. “And this year, perhaps more than ever, people who thought they would never need our services are finding our doors are open.”

The organization will also be delivering Christmas meals to housed clients throughout the region, Grant McKenzie told Black Press Media.

“Bringing that sense of community is so important,” McKenzie added.

Any Victoria residents interested in keeping things cheery into the new year can donate warm clothes, tarps or sleeping bags to Our Place to ensure clients stay warm. Donations can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave. any time, or at 94 Talcott Rd. in View Royal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

READ MORE: Our Place Society Thanksgiving meal creates bonds of family, despite lack of volunteers

READ MORE: Clothing donations needed across Greater Victoria


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