Here’s what’s needed to feed 500 in Kelowna for Thanksgiving

A savory smell emanates from the Kelowna Gospel Mission’s Leon Avenue shelter as people approach.

Inside, busy hands make light work as the crucial public facility hosts its annual Thanksgiving meal, requiring volunteers to ready food for many residents and guests of the shelter.

“This meal is a marathon,” executive director Carmen Rempel told Kelowna10. “Our staff are working on this thee week in advance. They prepare and freeze or hold things in preparation for the big show tonight.”

A feast in every aspect of the word is needed for the annual occasion; 30 turkeys, 16 hams, 250 pounds of potatoes, and 35 pumpkins pies are cooked and served for the holiday meal.

The 60 residents of the shelter were each able to bring a guest. But they aren’t the only ones being served.

“Our outreach team takes our Thanksgiving meal and gives it out to people who are living rough on the streets outside,” Rempel explained. “We expect to feed 500 people in total today.”

With winter slowly approaching, Rempel said donations of clothes and blankets will greatly help those who are sleeping rough in the months ahead.