Dinner warms hearts of guests and volunteers

Posted By Nick Gardiner, Recorder & Times Staff Writer

Barbara-Ann Amadie accepts a ladle of gravy from Grade 11 volunteer McKenzie Allan Sunday at South Grenville District High School during the annual Soup for the Soul community dinner put on by the school. NICK GARDINER The Recorder and Times

PRESCOTT — Sunday's Soup for the Soul community Christmas dinner helped fill more than the empty tummies of local residents.

It also filled a place at the table for those who would be eating by themselves.

"I was alone this year so I thought I'd come to the dinner," Shirley Froats told the Recorder and Times before sitting down to her Christmas dinner.

"It's very nice to have company."

Froats was one of 450 diners served by students at South Grenville District High School, which sponsors the event, now in its ninth year.

She doesn't expect to have visitors over the holidays and was grateful for an opportunity to mix with other Prescott residents and enjoy a meal and entertainment in the school's gym.

It was a sentiment that was easy to find elsewhere among the diners.

Barbara-Ann Amadie said she is also alone at home and after attending the dinner last year she came with a friend.

"I like to have company," said Amadie who, with her friend Brenda Armstrong, agreed it's a treat not to worry about preparing a meal and washing the dishes.

"I come here just to get out," said Armstrong.

Ryan Hopkins, event co-chairman with Joey Sargent, said he's noticed how people use the dinner for a social occasion.

"A lot of people meet other people here," said Hopkins, 16, a Grade 11 student who is involved for his second year.

As a senior next year, Hopkins said he expects to volunteer again for the event.

"It's good to give back to the community. They give a lot to this school," he said.

(For the full story, see Tuesday's print edition of The Recorder and Times.)