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It’s a tall order for any organization – prepping and serving meals then cleaning up after more than 1,000 people.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more complicated, but the staff at Saskatoon’s Friendship Inn have become pros at it.
The centre has remained open, says Executive Director Sandra Kary; with its dining room offering breakfast and lunch for those in need at 50 per cent capacity, or about 60 guests at one time.
This Thanksgiving holiday it won’t be any different. There will just be a host of rules in place to ensure staff and patrons remain as safe as possible.
“So, when guests enter they get their hands sanitized and they’re seated. And then we do have volunteers and staff that actually bring them their meal. And once they’re done, we absolutely sanitize the place that they’re in and then they exit the building. We make sure that all of our volunteers and staff are wearing masks, and we do our best to just ensure all of the precautions are taken to ensure everyone’s health and safety.”
Thanksgiving mealtime will be extended by an hour. Normally, lunch would be served from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, but on Oct. 12 it will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For those who don’t want to stand in line or to go inside to dine, there will be a take-out option.
“They (guests) simply go through the other side of our doors and go through the takeaway line,” explained Kary. “It’s a really slick system. They just ask for a meal, and they’re given their turkey dinner.”
She says it’s one meal per person, so someone from a household or group can’t go and pick up several meals at a time.
Last year, just over 1,000 people were served their Thanksgiving dinners at the Friendship Inn. This year, Kary says they’re preparing to serve up to 1,300 meals.
“We’re going to make sure we prepare enough and don’t have to turn anyone away.”
The Friendship Inn will be one of the few agencies providing a turkey dinner, and she’s hoping it will be a nice day.
“We’re not sure what we’re going to get this year, because it’s uncharted territory, but we’re ready for the folks that come to us and we’ll be ready to serve them.”
The meal will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and likely a piece of pie for dessert. Ham may be available as well.
There is still room for volunteers as well. Kary is hoping 10-12 people will be able to help out the staff serving meals, cleaning, and any other work that needs to be completed.
A volunteer sign up sheet is available here.
