On the evening of Dec. 21, the Langley City Dairy Queen will open its doors to anyone who wants a traditional Christmas meal.
This will be at least the eighth Christmas dinner the owners of the Langley City Dairy Queen, located at 20300 Fraser Hwy., will serve to members of the community who are alone, homeless or facing hard times.
“Last year, we did 500 servings. We expect to do the same or more this year,” said Cindy French, who along with her husband Gord, has owned the downtown Langley Dairy Queen for 10 years.
This year, Christmas dinner will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Every year there are lineups.
They try to fit in as many as they can for each sitting to keep the line moving.
The Dairy Queen will be festive, with decorations and a Christmas tree. There will be gifts for all the kids, young and old, said Cindy.
“We get at least 30 kids each year. Last year, a single dad brought his kids. He didn’t have any family in town, so he wanted to have something nice,” she said.
Seniors will also be receiving presents.
“This is the only time of the year where (an addict) sits beside a senior having a great conversation and a great time,” Cindy said. “When the drug addicts come in for a meal, they are clean and very respectful.
“They are also very grateful for the meal.”
This year, the Frenches have issued an invitation to all the people who were burned out of their homes in the nearby Paddington Station complex fire.
“You’ve got to help. I believe if everyone went into their closet and pulled out one jacket and one comforter to donate, would they even miss those things?”
Putting on this dinner has become a community affair, said the Frenches.
Willowbrook Chrysler donates 12 turkeys and JD Farms also donates some turkeys. Christian Life Assembly has donated $500 toward the dinner.
A regular customer donated $100 on Tuesday.
Each year, Fraser Heath peels 250 pounds of potatoes and delivers it to the restaurant, Cindy said.
“I distribute the turkeys to our family members to cook. We slice it up at home and bring it here. We love doing this.”