The free Community Christmas Dinner is being handled by North Hastings Community Trust this year, but help is still needed from the community.
“It’s open to everyone, all ages, all backgrounds, all classes are welcome to come,” Director of Community Trust Jane Kali says.
Marie Tenthory headed up the organization of the event for the past two decades but decided to hand over the reins to Community Trust this year. Kali says it’s an honour to be a part of it this year. “(Tenthory) said because you are the folks that are building community,” Kali says. She adds that Tenthory is still on board and will help them with the transition.
With this being their first year organizing the dinner, Kali says they are looking to the community for support. She asks that if you’ve volunteered in the past, to give them a call to volunteer again. Kali says they are looking for help in multiple areas so the best thing to do would be to call them at 613-332-3657 and ask what they need. If you’re interested in giving them a financial donation, Kali says to make the cheque out to “Bancroft Community Christmas Dinner” and to drop it off at Community Trust or TD Bank. She adds that any food donations need to be dropped off by Friday.
Kali says they are also reaching out to restaurants and businesses in the area in hopes they some will join them and help out with the dinner. It’s unconfirmed, but the team at Community Trust also hopes the Bancroft OPP are on board again this year to help deliver food to those in the community that can’t make the dinner.
While they’re still working on a master list of what’s needed, Kali tells My Bancroft Now she does know they will need deserts and financial donations are always welcomed.
“We look forward to gathering to celebrate us,” she says of the dinner.
The Community Christmas Dinner is being held on December 24th from 4 PM until 6 at the Bancroft Legion on Station Street.