Thanksgiving Meal at Saint Catherine's 2024

On October 12, our community members, volunteers, and neighbours came together in the true spirit of family, sharing warmth, delicious food, and joyful moments. Our family-style Community Thanksgiving Meal brought smiles, full bellies, and a sense of belonging to 102 guests who might have otherwise spent the holiday alone.

Thanks to the generous support from Tomahawk Restaurant, we were able to serve a beautiful Thanksgiving spread with all the classics, including a perfectly cooked turkey that delighted our guests. Cob's Bread - Edgemont Village for the freshly baked buns, and Delany's Coffee House for the freshly brewed coffee. There’s something special about sharing a traditional meal that brings people together, and this evening was no exception.

The tables were beautifully adorned with hand-crafted centerpieces made by Saint Catherine's Preschool students, whose creativity added a joyful touch to each table setting. Further adding to the cozy ambiance were the fall-inspired decorations thoughtfully arranged by our volunteers led by Monica, who took the time to brinag the autumn spirit into every corner of the space.

The Thanksgiving Meal began with a warm welcome from Rev. Laurel, who graciously emceed the gathering and shared an inspiring message that resonated with each guest. Rev. Laurel's words set the tone for the afternoon, reminding everyone of the power of community and the importance of coming together, especially during the holiday season.

The event featured live music performed by talented community members; Ginger and Mermi, whose melodies set the perfect backdrop for conversations and laughter. We even had an arts and crafts booth, prepared by Marion, where people of all ages could enjoy hands-on activities together. From making bracelets to designing their own turkey decor, the booth gave everyone a chance to connect through creativity and self-expression.

What truly made this gathering special was the warmth of the people. Neighbors who hadn’t met before exchanged stories, laughed together, and even lent a hand in the clean-up effort after the meal. The spirit of Thanksgiving was evident not only in the delicious meal but also in the acts of kindness and camaraderie that filled the day.

We are grateful for the district's community grant, the helped us to host the event, and for our partner organizations: Harvest Project, North Shore Women's Centre, North Shore Crisis Services Society, North Shore Neighbourhood House, and Capilano Community Services' Seniors' Hub who supported us in managing registration.

To our volunteers, thank you for your dedication and hard work. Each of you played a vital role in making this Thanksgiving meal not only possible but a celebration of kindness, generosity, and community spirit. We look forward to more gatherings that bring us all together and fill our hearts as much as our plates!

This year’s Thanksgiving meal reminded us of the power of community, kindness, and togetherness. We’re grateful for everyone who joined and all those who helped make the event possible. Here’s to many more gatherings filled with love, gratitude, and shared memories.