What does it take for more than 50 REALTOR® volunteers to serve Easter dinner in Winnipeg to over 850 hungry folks on a chilly Good Friday? How about 125 roasted turkeys, 120 litres of gravy, 450 pounds of mashed potatoes, 150 litres of creamy coleslaw, 1000 buns and loads of lattice-top apple pie?
“Easter can be that one forgotten holiday, the time when at-risk people are most likely to be left out in the cold. We are thankful the real estate community is committed to this compassionate service in our community. Together, we’re creating a caring environment where every person is valued and no one has to be alone at Easter,” said Judy Richichi, Siloam Mission’s Director of Development and Finance.
“We appreciate their partnership over the years. The consistency and dedication of REALTORS Care® in providing the Easter Dinner at Siloam Mission has enabled us to continue as a beacon of hope for vulnerable folks in Winnipeg’s inner city.”
April 18 was the 8th consecutive year for the REALTORS Care® Easter Dinner at Siloam Mission. REALTOR® volunteers in white aprons prepared, served and cleaned up after delivering platefuls of turkey and all the trimmings to tables full of guests at the inner-city mission. Some of the mission’s guests face chronic homelessness, disability, poverty and other complex challenges to independence and upward mobility. Many guests represent the working poor and some came for dinner in the midst of major life traumas or transitions, when community connectedness is especially needed.
Before the dinner was served, tables for eight were set with flowers as volunteer fiddlers filled the air with joyful music. Children attending with parents or caregivers received Easter baskets with treats and colouring books.
More than a dozen community partners stepped up with cash donations and supplies for the meal. Organizers are already looking forward to planning for Easter at Siloam in 2015.
The Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) is a non-profit society representing the interests and concerns of licensed REALTORS® in Manitoba, with a membership that includes nearly 2000 real estate professionals and their 3 real estate boards in all regions of the province.
