Delivery only for this year’s Community Christmas Dinner in Vermilion

The 25^th Annual Ron Moses Community Christmas Dinner will still go forward, but will have a delivery-only option this time around.

Last year, 191 people were served dinner on Christmas Day, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the dinner will look much different this year – with no one being able to gather or serve food at the Vermilion Senior’s Centre.

“We will deliver hot meals to people who are alone or unable to cook their own meals,” said co-founder, Lynda Moses.

“Twenty-five years ago it was Ron’s idea that we shouldn’t just be by ourselves and should be helping others.”

Her late husband, Ron, helped for the first nine years, and she has continued on ever since. She has plans for her daughter to eventually take over. Debating on whether to do something this year or not, they agreed that carrying on is what he would have wanted.

In 1996, the community dinner started out with 50 turkey meals, and because her neighbour was alone and never celebrated Christmas, she delivered the lady her first Christmas dinner. Over the years, the meal grew, some years including ham, meatballs, goose, wild boar, deer, elk, moose, or even buffalo and a large selection of sides and salads.

“This year, it will be simplified with only two meats and two salads,” said Moses.

“With others doing the cooking it certainly helps me out. Thank you to the community members who have stepped up and offered to cook the meals.”

Meals must be ordered before December 18. To order a meal delivery on December 25, you can call Lynda at (780) 853-1818.

“I think we’ve got to do things differently this year so that we can celebrate next year,” said Moses.