Are you being served?

The Gathering Place on Algonquin Avenue was the hotspot Monday as Pizza Hut with the aid of several North Bay City Councillors turned out to serve lunch.

Yves Martel says he feels very fortunate to be in a position where he can now help out as often as possible. Martel says his lunchtime buffet ends after the Gathering Place’s lunch is over, so during a regular day they can only get leftovers to the volunteer staff. So he looks forward to this time of year when he has the opportunity to supply a full hot lunch for the kitchen’s clientele.

“I wasn’t the best kid when I was younger and I now have an opportunity to make room up there,” he says.

“I believe in karma and giving back and it works … and we feel good.”

Martel says he brings his wife and children along not only to help out, but to also show them what life’s all about.

“They want to come and not just so they can miss school. We talk about this at home the whole week before,” he states.

“I never had an opportunity to help like this before, but now with my business I am more fortunate and I can give back to the community.”

Meanwhile, half a dozen councillors turned out to lend their support by serving lunch and cleaning tables

New councillor on the block Chris Mayne, who gathered the councillors together, said the idea was born during the a recent presentation to council by the Gathering Place, he said everyone on council was very supportive.

“It is an opportunity to get involved,” says the new councillor.

“Everyone is aware that the soup kitchen is in need, the challenge is to keep it up through out the year, because it’s a great service.”

Operations Manager/Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Smith, says the kitchen is currently focused on next week’s Christmas Day Dinner at the Pro Cathedral Church Hall.

Patty Buckner stopped by on her lunch hour to let the kitchen know that the employees of the ONR and Ontera support the Christmas Day Dinner by way of a $482 donation.

Smith says they decided to work with St. Brice’s this year so that there would be a venue that could seat more people at one time.

“We want to offer a dinner where everyone can enjoy the company of neighbours together.”

The dinner will be held Monday, December 25th at the church hall at 480 McIntryre Street West. The event starts with a social time at 12:30 p.m., followed by a dinner with all the trimmings at 1:30 p.m.

The site is wheelchair accessible and rides are available.

Volunteers for the Christmas Day Dinner are welcomed. To sign up or for more information, please call St. Brice's Church at 474-4005.