Gathering Place numbers down in November

Preparations for Christmas Day Dinner are well underway as dedicated volunteers at the gathering place, North Bay’s Community Soup Kitchen, continue to serve mid-day meals to Neighbours-in-need.

Volunteers at North Bay’s Community Soup Kitchen 1,849 meals to Neighbours-in-need throughout the month of November, a decrease from October when 2,099 meals were served.

Volunteers served an average of 84 meals per day throughout November, down significantly from October’s daily average of 91, which brings the total number of meals served since the opening of the facility in September of 2003 to 88,830 meals.

The demographic break down for the number of meals served at The Gathering Place are:

- 1,320 were served to adults (aged 25-60)

- 321 were served to seniors

- 188 were served to young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 years of age

- 4 pre-schoolers

- 16 school-aged children under 16 were also served a hot, nutritious meal at the gathering place during the month of November.

Christmas Day Dinner

Organizers from St. Brice’s Anglican Church, the gathering place and the Pro Cathedral Church of the Assumption are making preparations for a free Christmas Day Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 25th. Children and adults are invited to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, at the Pro Cathedral located at 480 McIntyre St. W.

Anyone who is alone or in need of a meal this Christmas is invited to participate in a social hour beginning at 12:30 p.m. Christmas Day Dinner will begin at 1:30 p.m. Rides are available and the location is wheelchair accessible.

Anyone interested in volunteering for this much-anticipated event is asked to contact St. Brice’s Church at 474-4005.

The Gathering Place accepts debit, Visa and Master Card donations. Regular office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Located at 392 Algonquin Ave., The Gathering Place serves a hot, nutritious meal from Monday through Friday, including holidays, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.