News releases
December 4, 2007
Six thousand hot turkey dinners in six days
Verna and Lionel McGillivray loved Christmas. So much so that when they established a fund with the Saskatoon Community Foundation they directed a portion of its annual income to “Christmas Cheer.” This year $8000 from the fund will buy turkeys for the Holiday Lunch program managed by Care & Share.
Each year, Care & Share partners with many of Saskatoon’s major hotels and restaurants, suppliers, and First Bus to prepare a turkey dinner for the children attending Saskatoon’s 19 community schools. This year, Saskatoon Community Foundation bought the turkeys.
“I think that Verna and Lionel McGillivray would approve of our choice to support Care & Share Holiday Lunch program,” said Trevor Forrest, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Community Foundation. “The McGillivrays experienced the Great Depression and they wanted to share the wealth they had accumulated with others, throughout the year and especially in the holidays.”
Sandi Meldrum, Executive Director of Care & Share, said, “It’s great to have Saskatoon Community Foundation as part of our holiday program. They’re joining other leaders in the community to create some special events for children at this time of year.”
Care & Share serves holiday lunches at 19 community schools over a six day period starting December 4th. About 6,000 children will have a hot turkey dinner. Some may even eat their vegetables.
Care & Share Saskatoon Inc. was started in 1997 by Ted Merriman who believed there was a need to help the less fortunate children in Saskatoon. Mr. Merriman and President of the B’Nai Brith, Sid Katzman, along with friends and associates, arrived at St. Michael School with a few turkeys and all the fixings, serving up a great meal. This marked the start of the Holiday Lunch Program and the birth of Care & Share Saskatoon Inc.
Trevor Forrest, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Community Foundation and
Everett Rupert, Executive Chef of the Hilton Garden Inn prepare turkey dinners.