Mary MacKinnon will spend her Saturday afternoon peeling veggies in order to enjoy an evening dinner with B次元官网网址渙ne big community familyB次元官网网址� of friends.

After a dozen or so dinners under her belt, MacKinnon will likely make new friends and catch up with some old, as volunteers with the Salvation Army Westsong community church cook and serve the annual free community Christmas dinner for anyone looking for festive entertainment, food and companionship.

B次元官网网址淚 attend because I am a person who loves to be among people,B次元官网网址� MacKinnon said. B次元官网网址淚 also love helping out. I do enjoy the dinner, but itB次元官网网址檚 more about what I can give towards the dinner.B次元官网网址�

That could mean vegetables in preparation, or enjoying a coffee and a chat post-meal.

B次元官网网址淭here could be a single mom there whoB次元官网网址檚 trying to enjoy a meal and the kids are not co-operating,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f thereB次元官网网址檚 an elderly person who canB次元官网网址檛 carry their coffeeB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址�

This year is MacKinnon will make her way from Sooke, where she moved three months ago after 28 years in Langford. That wonB次元官网网址檛 stop her from arriving early to help prepare the meal at Our Lady of the Rosary in Langford.

Last year about 200 people filled the hall on a Sunday eve, said organizer George Kogan, pastor with Salvation Army Westsong community church.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking to provide some food for people, some companionship because we know that some people might not require a meal but they might want to come in and get some Christmas cheer,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have very generous backing from some of our community partners,B次元官网网址�

A band, toys for the kids and a Santa Saxes performance will set the mood.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of people hold back from going to these functions because they feel itB次元官网网址檚 for the homeless or people who are on their own, and thatB次元官网网址檚 not the case,B次元官网网址� MacKinnon said. B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 for anybody who enjoys the company of other people who otherwise may not have it.B次元官网网址�

She sees it as ideal for those distanced physically or emotionally from family, suffering losses or even those simply new to the area and learning where they fit.

B次元官网网址淐hristmas seems to be a good time to check these things out,B次元官网网址� MacKinnon said. B次元官网网址淥f course itB次元官网网址檚 always good to see Santa ... ItB次元官网网址檚 very well attended and very much appreciated.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淓verybody is made welcome,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t can be a very fun night. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big happy family in the communityB次元官网网址�

The free dinner is Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary hall in Langford. Registration is not required. To donate to the dinner call 250-474-5967.