One of Chris Pollock’s earliest memories was serving potatoes for strangers for a Christmas lunch when he was five or six years old.
Pollock, now 47 and lead pastor for the Mustard Seed Street Church, was back at the Bay Street Armoury on Saturday to help out with another year of the church’s Christmas luncheon, which is put on with help from the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund.
Pollock said the event, which is nearing half a century of continued operations, is the one of the best representations of the love and connection provided by Mustard Seed Street Church.
“It’s a big community … we can see and feel that the need is great,” he said. “There are people who could be blessed with a little bit more hope, a little more presence, and a little bit more connection.” Pollock said no one is turned away and people are encouraged to stick around after the meal to enjoy the music.
Hundreds sat down for a Christmas feast accompanied by live music from noon to 3 p.m. Mike Latte, who was wearing a Grinch-themed hat for the lunch, said he looks forward to coming every year. “Too bad we can’t do like a summer barbeque here,” he said with a laugh.
For Bosco Tu, the Mustard Seed’s Christmas lunch represents a rare chance for him, his mother and his younger brother to sit down and connect. “Everyone is busy, we eat all our meals in our own rooms,” said Tu, an engineering student at the University of Victoria who also works when he’s not studying.
Tu, a newcomer to Victoria from Hong Kong, said his favourite part of the event as that his food was served by volunteers “like as if it was in a restaurant,” he said in Cantonese.
Athena Varlis was happy to have made it to the lunch this year. “I was so hungry, I ate it so fast,” she said. She didn’t come in last year because the line was too long for her to stand in due to health issues, Varlis said.
Varlis took a second helping in a takeaway container — but it won’t be for herself. It’s going to someone living on the street who couldn’t make it to Bay Street Armoury because they didn’t have enough clothing, the right footwear, or energy to make the trip here, she said.
This meal will be the last good meal for many people who live on welfare cheques or disability until the next cheque comes in on Dec. 18, she said.
Varlis said she feels left behind by recent policy announcements such as the potential $250 rebate proposed by federal Liberals, calling it “criminal” that people on income assistance and disability are left out of the conversation.
More supports need to be put in place for those who are living in poverty or are unemployed, she said.
Mustard Seed executive director Treska Watson said this meal is sometimes the only time people will get to come together and share a meal during the festive season.
“It’s been really tough for a lot of people and I think that’s why we’re seeing this full house [of about 350 diners] right out the gate,” she said. “Things are even tighter this year and I don’t know if that’s showing any signs of slowing down.”
Chris Hammer, the chef behind Saturday’s meal, said he helped prepare 70 turkeys in anticipation of a larger crowd.
Last year they prepared 30 turkeys but ran out near the end and one person had to scrounge around the pan for the last bits, he said.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHRISTMAS FUND
• Go online to . That page is linked to sa国际传媒Helps, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Cheques should be made out to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund. Drop them at the sa国际传媒 office in Vic West, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria.
• Or, for the duration of the postal strike, contact Maximum Express for free pickup and delivery of your cheque. Call dispatch at 250-721-3278 or email [email protected].
