People in Victoria without the means to put on a full Christmas spread can find one Saturday (Dec. 22), thanks to some partnerships in the business community.

The idea of putting on a charity Christmas dinner came to Yellow Cab president Sushil Hira three years ago, around the time friend Gordy Dodd was hosting his annual charitable Thanksgiving dinner.

B次元官网网址淣obody was doing it for Christmas, so I said, B次元官网网址楪ordy we need to do something for Christmas as well,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Hira said.

While he isnB次元官网网址檛 Christian, he wanted to take part in this traditionally Christian holiday. B次元官网网址淭his is the season where we donB次元官网网址檛 want anybody to be left without celebration. ItB次元官网网址檚 not only Christian now. ItB次元官网网址檚 everyone who celebrates. It has become a part of our culture.B次元官网网址�

For this reason, he pitched the idea of a Christmas dinner to Dodd, and the two men agreed to host the event together.

Now in its third year, the Christmas dinner idea has is expanded.

Dodd is heading to Nanaimo to launch a dinner there, while Hira is taking the lead on the Victoria dinner with the help of friend Sweetpal Singh, managing director of Shell at 100 Esquimalt Rd.

B次元官网网址淲e will also be giving some blankets and some gifts,B次元官网网址� Hira said.

B次元官网网址�(And) last year, we felt that some kids showed up and we didnB次元官网网址檛 have anything to give the kids.B次元官网网址�

In response, organizers have secured teddy bears and other gifts to pass on to children.

Close to 700 people showed up for the dinner last year and at least that many are expected this time around. Staff from a local Indian restaurant are cooking the entire traditional Christmas dinner of turkey with all the trimmings. The dinner is expected to cost between $10,000 and $15,000, Hira said.

B次元官网网址淲e have 200 shareholders in our company,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淓very cab is owned by single owners and they all live locally and they want to contribute to where they live.B次元官网网址�

Anybody can show up to the dinner to either volunteer or to dine. It takes place Saturday at First Metropolitan United Church, 923 Balmoral Rd., starting at 5 p.m. Santa arrives to deliver toys at 5:15 p.m.

B次元官网网址淓verybody who is needy, please come. Nobody will be turned away,B次元官网网址� Hira said.

rholmen@vicnews.com