The Root Cellar will host the Spirit of Christmas Feast starting at 5pm on Christmas Day. (Chat News Today)

By Jesse Gill

‘Spirit of Christmas Feast’ returns on Christmas Day at Root Cellar

Dec 19, 2023 | 4:43 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Christmas spirit will be shining bright the year at the Root Cellar food bank.

The United Way is hosting the annual Spirit of Christmas Feast on Christmas Day. The feast is all about spreading joy by ensuring no one has to spend Christmas alone.

It’s open to anyone and no proof of income is needed.

The dinner starts at 5 p.m. but people can start showing up as early as 4 p.m.

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Spirit of Christmas Feast coordinator Jeremy Silver said the event began 11 years ago as a simple idea.

“The original group of people was just a group of friends and we all got together and the whole concept was that nobody should spend Christmas alone,” Silver said.

“We understood that you know a mental health crisis had nothing to do with how much money you had in your bank account. Events like this were specifically targeted at low income people,” Silver added.

“There was nothing for those people who had money in the bank, who sat in front of their TV on Christmas by themselves drinking beer feeling like they had no place to go.”

“The United Way Spirit of Christmas Feast has been here for those people as well as the low income for over a decade now and I don’t see us stopping any time soon.”

Food will be available until about 8 p.m. on Christmas night.