Movable feast
After serving Christmas dinner at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown for the past two years Melvin Ford moves festive meal to his hometown of Souris
Melvin Ford knows that traditions can change.
For the past two years, he has been up serving a free Christmas dinner with all the fixings in Georgetown.
This year, the celebration moves to St. Mary’s Hall in Souris. The reason for the move is simple. Ford wanted to be closer to his loved ones.
“With lots of changes in my personal life, I decided it was time to move the dinner to my hometown where I can go to celebrate Christmas with my family,” says the kind-hearted chef who, with the support of volunteers, is whipping up another festive dinner with all the trimmings to be served on Dec. 25 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
“Based on numbers from previous years I hope to have between 200-250 for Christmas dinner.”
In fact, he knows a few Georgetown residents who have expressed an interest in driving to Souris to take it in.
“If the weather’s good, it’s a great way to spend the day.”
Although Melvin is organizing the event, he’s not doing it alone. Different people from the community are helping.
“Turkeys are the big thing that we need right now,” he said.
“We can also use vegetables. We serve carrots and turnips, along with mashed potatoes, with the main meal. We also need bread for the stuffing.”
Then there are the “little details that we often forget” like butter patties, napkins and tablecloths.
Ford’s idea of hosting a Christmas dinner was born from his own experience of loneliness on Christmas day.
“No one gets forgotten. People who attend also get to
experience some wonderful Christmas music by some talented entertainers.
“And every kid leaves with a treat bag.”
And he’s over-the-moon about the new location.
“Every community needs to experience something like this and Souris is where I grew up.”
“If the weather’s good, it’s a great way to spend the day.” Melvin Ford
The Guardian’s “I Believe” series, which will be published both in print and online between now and Christmas, will include inspirational and uplifting stories to get our readers in the holiday spirit. If you have a story that you believe should be part of the “I Believe” series, email newsroom@theguardian.pe.ca.