Nearly 30 years ago, a Revelstoke Christmas tradition was born. In the years since its inception the Revelstoke Community Christmas Dinner has grown, moved locations more than once and navigated COVID restrictions, all while staying true to the dinner’s original intent.
“Ginger [Shoji] always said, ‘it’s a place to find community on Christmas Day’,” Stephanie Melnyk, a long-time volunteer at the dinner told the Mountaineer.
Shoji, a founding organizer who has been involved since the event’s debut at the United Church, began to take a step back in 2014, and a put a call out to the community for a new group of volunteers to take over.
The Community Christmas Dinner has changed locations a few times over the years: the United Church, the Catholic Church and the Frontier Restaurant. In 2021, during COVID, the dinner moved to the Revelstoke Community Centre in partnership with the City of Revelstoke.
The event provides a free dinner for anyone on Christmas day, although donations are always welcome. Often, people from out of town who are driving through on Christmas Day will happen upon the event, and after partaking in the camaraderie and good food, often leave a healthy donation, Melnyk said. There are also local community members who come to the event and then find themselves volunteering. That’s exactly how Melnyk and her family got involved.
“It’s very festive and inclusive,” Melnyk said. “The food is spectacular. I think everyone feels very fortunate and very connected. Lots of times there are families there, there’s kids running around.”
While the dinner is celebrating its 29th anniversary, Melnyk said the event struggled a bit during the pandemic, as the main goal of the dinner – to offer a place for people to connect on Christmas Day – wasn’t able to happen.
In addition, Melnyk pointed out that many small businesses are still struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, despite the difficult economic situation for small businesses, many are still donating as much as they can. It has, however, meant dipping into the event’s contingency fund for the first time. This year’s event includes 40 volunteers and more than 60 donors from both individuals and local businesses.
“People just do their part and this event just comes to life and has energy of its own. Lots of volunteers make it part of their Christmas tradition as well even if they don’t stay for dinner.”
This year’s Community Christmas Dinner takes place in the MP rooms at the Revelstoke Community Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome. Those who are unable to attend the event in person due to mobility or health issues can ask to have a meal delivered to them.
For donations (cash or food), please contact Cheryl at (250) 837-1290 or [email protected]. To volunteer on Dec. 24 or 25, please contact Jill at [email protected]. If you are not able to leave your home, you can make a request for a meal to be delivered by emailing [email protected]
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