United Way, Root Cellar partner for Christmas dinner

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on December 4, 2021.

United Way South Eastern Alberta and Medicine Hat’s Root Cellar are partnering to provide Hatters with warm Christmas meals this Holiday Season through the United Way Spirit of Christmas Feast on Dec. 25.

The event is in its ninth year, however this will be the first year the organizations are partnering together. Missy Fandrick, executive director of United Way South Eastern Alberta, is excited about working with the Root Cellar for the feast, which will be held at the Root Cellar’s new Maple Avenue location.

“(We) started this dinner for people who had no where to go. Doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, you have a home or you don’t have a home, wherever you are in your life, we’re welcome to this dinner,” said Fandrick.

The event was first started by several Hatters, including Jeremy Silver, who told the News he saw a need for a welcoming and inclusive gathering space during the Christmas holidays.

“Nobody should spend Christmas alone,” Silver told the News. “All of the dinners in the City of Medicine Hat cater to senior citizens and low-income (individuals).

“We understood that those demographics need the help, but we looked at suicide rates and saw that one of the largest demographics that we were losing every Christmas was the middle class and the upper class.

“Clearly there was a need for those people to feel loved and welcomed at Christmas as well, but there were no services available because they didn’t need the financial help. The United Way Spirit of Christmas Feast was created to fill that gap.”

“We have turkey, peas, carrots, stuffing, cranberry sauce, all the typical Christmas foods,” Silver said. Details about the in-person event are still being confirmed as organizers work to adhere to provincial COVID-19 protocol, however Silver confirmed the Restrictions Exemption Program will be in place.

In addition to in-person dining at the Root Cellar, organizers are also offering a meal delivery program, for which registration is required.

Registration and inquiries about the event can be directed to Silver at 403-977-3766.