Union Gospel Mission to serve thousands of meals at Easter Dinner
Posted April 15, 2017 8:59 am.
Last Updated April 15, 2017 9:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Vancouver (NEWS 1130) – Holidays can be tough for the best of us, but especially for those less fortunate. Numbers out this week show a 30 per cent spike in the number of people living on the street in our region since the last homeless count three years ago. Organizers of an annual Easter dinner say this shows the need is greater than ever.
The Union Gospel Mission plans to serve 3,000 meals at three locations over the day-long event. Organizer Jeremy Hunka admits that amounts to quite a lot of groceries. “2200 pounds of ham, close to a thousand pounds of scalloped potatoes, 270 litres of pineapple sauce, 600 pies, the list goes on.”
He adds there is a serious message behind the festivities and feels the latest homeless numbers are a call to action. “I mean, when you see a 30 per cent increase in homelessness, that’s an alarm bell, right? Sirens are sounding. So, the need is extreme,” Hunka says.
“This is a big deal with big consequences. We’re really reaching out to people on the brink, building trust, and hopefully transforming those lives. And it’s needed more than ever this year.”
Hope, as it’s often said, can begin with a meal and the UGM hopes the Easter Dinner can inspire more men and women towards a better life.
The event is on at three locations including the main UGM facility at Hastings and Princess on the Downtown Eastside. Meals are served from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today.
