The holidays can be hard for people without a home. That's why Kelowna’s Gospel Mission hosted a special Easter lunch on Saturday.
Carmen Rempel, the executive director of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, said they make a big deal of the Easter meal to bring people into a healing community.
Rempel stated that serving a beautiful meal is a powerful way to show dignity and worth to those they care for, giving hope during difficult times.
The lunch was open to anyone living on the streets of Kelowna, as well as those using the city’s emergency shelters, and included turkey, ham, potatoes, and sweet treats.
Volunteers from the Okanagan’s longest operating charity group received help serving the dinner from local MP Tracy Grey and MLA Renne Merrifield.
KGM works year-round to support the unhoused. They provide three meals a day, showers, personal care items, free haircuts and laundry to everyone who accesses the service. The group has been operating in the Okanagan since 1978.
Earlier this month, the non-profit also told Global News that it is struggling with food insecurity and being able to feed everyone who is in need.
Rempel expressed concern about feeding 300 people when many in the community are worried about feeding their families, showing the real stress of the situation.
Rempel said that the funding for food service is crucial for caring for people experiencing homelessness, and it feels vulnerable when that funding is unstable.
For more information on the services the group offers, or how you can help, click here.
