Three local stores, two helper elves and one boisterous Santa Claus B次元官网网址� okay, so it doesnB次元官网网址檛 quite roll off the tongue like the Five Days of Christmas B次元官网网址� but the spirit was there!

Santa paid a visit to SidneyB次元官网网址檚 three grocery stores this week B次元官网网址� Save-On-Foods, Thrifty Foods and Fairway Market B次元官网网址� to thank them for their contributions to the Community Christmas Day Dinner Dec. 25 at the Mary Winspear Centre.

Aided by helper David Friend (aka Mr. Organic) and accompanied by the B次元官网网址 Review, Santa went up and down the aisles , spreading good cheer and news about the annual dinner.

This year, volunteers are expecting around 300 people at two sittings during the Christmas Day Dinner. This year is the 18th annual event, bringing together people who are unable to be with family on Christmas.

Linda Brown of North Saanich gave Santa a donation to pass on to the volunteer group, saying last year was the first Christmas she found herself alone B次元官网网址� and attended the dinner.

B次元官网网址淚t was wonderful,B次元官网网址� she said.

The Christmas Day Dinner is on Dec. 25 with two seatings: one at 11:30 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. The hall is quite full, but Santa says no one who shows up will be turned away.

The food is all being donated by the local grocery stores, whose participation each year, said Santa, helps make it all possible.