Nine years after Jeannette Douglas’ daughter suggested offering a community meal at Christmas, the tradition continues today. And it has branched off into monthly meals.

Over Christmas and Boxing Day, Douglas and her family prepare a turkey dinner at Guthrie Presbyterian Church. Thursday over 40 people gathered around tables in the church basement with their neighbours to enjoy the meal with baked treats and Christmas carols.

Douglas said the first meal was inspired by her daughter who helped with a Christmas community meal in Windsor who said “there are probably people in Alvinston who need a meal.” So Douglas and her family prepared the food and opened the doors to the church. And they’ve been doing it ever since.

Douglas says at first it took some explaining to convince people to come since they felt they didn’t “need” a free meal.

“To me, it is more about the social aspect,” says Douglas. “If you live alone are you going to cook a turkey dinner for yourself? To me, it’s better to eat with 10 people than yourself.”

The dinners have since morphed into monthly community meals from October to April. The Alvinston Optimist Clubs provide $500 to help with the costs. Douglas says there is always money left at the end of the year, since people are very generous and donate food and money to keep the dinners going.