Westbank Lions Club members serve Christmas dinner to homeless population

Members of the Westbank Lions Club organized an inaugural Christmas dinner for the local unhoused population this week

The inaugural Christmas Day dinner was created by Leonard and Leah Thordarson, members of the Westbank Lions Club, after they learned that most agencies serving the homeless population would be closed on Dec. 25, a news release said.

The Westbank Lions Club voted to take the lead on hosting a holiday meal.

With only a week to plan and buy everything for the dinner, members’ families and friends stepped in to make the dinner a reality.

“It was important for us to ensure that our dinner took place on Christmas day - not a month before, not a week before Christmas. We want everyone to feel special in our community, especially during the holidays,” said Leah Thordarson.

“Christmas can be a lonely time, so if we could impact just one person living on the street and make it a little less depressing then it's the right thing to do."

Photo Credit: Contributed

Volunteers got to work early Christmas day, many giving up their traditional celebrations, to set up the Lions Hall with tables, chairs, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and treats.

They also put together 60 goodie bags containing toques, gloves, socks, hygiene times and more treats.

When the doors opened at 11 am, people were invited inside to play games like chess and checkers with each other and the volunteers.

"Everyone was chatting, smiling and laughing," said Lenetta Parry, Leonard and Leah’s daughter.

"Some of the guests needed a handshake, a hug, a conversation, a non- judgmental place to share their story. One of my most special moments was allowing someone to use my phone so he could call home and tell his mom that he was safe and wanted to wish her a Merry Christmas."

Meanwhile, volunteers were busy cooking four turkeys, two hams and all the side dishes.

Dinner was served up at 3:30 pm along with a screening of the movie Elf followed by desert.

The dinner served 50 meals plus 12 take outs to people experiencing homelessness in Westbank, West Kelowna and Peachland.

"Every single guest was so appreciative, one person even stated it was the best Christmas day they had experienced in years" said Parry.

The Westbank Lions Club extended a big thank you to the volunteers who showed up to help with the Christmas dinner and the partner organizations who helped make it possible.