Volunteers at the Maranatha Church in north Nanaimo will serve up a free Christmas Day dinner for invited guests, part of a number of local groups offering free meals over the holiday season. (submitted photo/Maranatha Church)

By Jordan Davidson

holiday spirit

Free meals offered around Nanaimo for Christmas

Dec 23, 2024 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — With only a few days to go until Santa arrives, a number of Nanaimo organizations are offering free Christmas meals.

The Nanaimo Foodshare Society is hosting a Christmas Eve eve lunch on Monday, Dec. 23 from noon until 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 100 Chapel St., with donations encouraged for the meal, which includes dessert and a treat bag.

Meanwhile, the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society is hosting a free community Christmas dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., also at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, with takeaway also available.

The Maranatha Church at 6553 Portsmouth Rd. is hosting its annual invite-only turkey dinner on Christmas Day starting at 4:00 p.m.

Lead Pastor Lizzy Jorgenson said last year they served around 150 people, and while their invite list is still being finalized, they’re expecting north of 200 people this year.

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“We’re being intentional about inviting those in our community who either just are feeling lonely on Christmas, perhaps they don’t have a place to go or family is not near, and then also to those in our community who otherwise wouldn’t have a Christmas dinner.”

Food for the meal was donated by church members along with Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank, with church members volunteering their time to serve.

Jorgenson said free Christmas meals like this can mean a lot to someone who may not have any other place to go for this time of year.

“There’s a lot of emotions that go along with Christmas for different people who are going through different things, and so to be able to come in and just in that low-pressure environment to have a meal in a safe place.”

A number of restaurants will also be open on the mid-Island on Dec. 25, including Minnoz inside the Coast Bastion Hotel at 11 Bastion St., Alice’s Restaurant at 728 Nicol St., along with the Nanoose Bay Cafe at 3521 Dolphin Dr. in Nanoose Bay, and Katerina’s West Coast Tavern on Lantzville Rd. in Lantzville.

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