Preparations are well underway for a hearty tradition at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization. For the 56th year, the LSCO hosts a free Christmas day dinner.
The event, set for Thursday, December 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., invites all community members to stop by the LSCO for good food, good company and good times.
“1969 was the first time that we did it, before the LSCO was even an organization, because we were founded in 1975. Our precursor group was the one that did it,” explains Hannah Dupuis, events and marketing coordinator.
“It’s been free since conception [and it’s] just a place for people to go on Christmas day. It’s not necessarily limited to seniors. It’s just anybody in the community that wants a full plate and friendly company on Christmas day,” Dupuis adds.
She notes that attendees can enjoy a full turkey dinner with all the fixings and dessert.
“We spend an entire month prepping food beforehand to get it all ready. We serve about 1,000 people in total – about 600 in-person and then about another 400 delivered meals on Christmas day. It’s a huge undertaking, but we love doing it,” Dupuis states.
She says thinking about the longevity of the event, and looking at photos from years past, really shines a light on the impact it has had on the community since making its debut.
“Just seeing people there and in all the pictures, people are smiling. They’re so happy to be there. The volunteers are happy that they are there,” Dupuis remarks.
On top of a free meal, she says, “It’s about getting out and just being with people on Christmas day. Nobody wants to be alone on Christmas.”
“So, having that opportunity to go out, make new friends, socialize [and] feel like you’re part of a community in the community event is amazing.”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The event costs about $12,000 to put together, with Dupuis saying it would not be possible without local business sponsors and help from residents in the city and surrounding area.
“It really is a testament to community generosity, in how a community can come together to serve anybody on Christmas and recognize the importance of that,” she notes.
Dupuis says volunteers help decorate the LSCO to create a festive atmosphere, and helpers assist in the kitchen to prepare the big meal.
“On the day of, we have volunteers in the centre that help with serving and cooking and all of those [other] things, like dishwashing,” she adds.
“It’s a huge undertaking and we’re really blessed to have all of the volunteers that we do to help make this event run smoothly because we couldn’t do it without them.”
MEAL DELIVERIES
Dupuis says not only do they provide a free meal at the LSCO, but volunteers help deliver holiday meals to home-bound individuals through the ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, as well as to local on-duty first responders and groups including the Wood’s Home Youth Shelter and Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, as part of the Christmas day event.
READ MORE: Meals on Wheels at the heart of the ’23 Days of Christmas’ campaign
“[It’s] so their staff can have a break and I mean, you need to have those first responders on-duty on Christmas day – it’s not like they can stop working,” she says.
“They deserve to have a meal too.”
FREE TRANSPORTATION
Dupuis says this year, individuals who may not have a way to get to the LSCO on Christmas day need not worry.
“We’ve partnered with 94 Cabs. They’re our transportation sponsor, so if people need help getting to and from the [LSCO] centre on Christmas day, they’re providing free rides for individuals,” she explains.
Those interested in a ride from 94 Cabs can contact the LSCO 403-320-2222 by December 22 to arrange transportation.
A STORIED HISTORY
In 2024, the LSCO celebrated what it believed to be its 40th annual Christmas dinner, but Dupuis says a search of the archives for the organization’s 50th anniversary celebrations this past summer led to the discovery of newspaper articles mentioning holiday dinners held as far back as 1969.
Since that initial event in 1969, over 40,000 meals have been served.
“It’s such an amazing experience and we’re hopefully going to continue to do it for another 56 years. We wouldn’t be able to do it without this community,” Dupuis says.
READ MORE: Christmas Hope campaign adds LSCO to list of community partners
The 56th annual free Christmas dinner is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 25 at the LSCO. Those interested in contributing to the event by sponsoring meals or volunteering can contact the LSCO at 403-320-2222 or visit the organization’s website.
