‘There’s more demand this year’: SOYA serves 300 holiday meals

Dozens of hungry bellies were filled on Saturday as volunteers with Save Our Young Adults (SOYA) hosted their annual Christmas dinner and stocking giveaway.

The non-profit, which supports those living with substance use disorder, served more than 300 free turkey meals and stockings at their Gore Street depot.

Having ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., SOYA president Connie Raynor-Elliott said people were lining up as early as 8:30 this morning.

“People are struggling,” she told SooToday. “For a lot of people, they have to decide: pay their rent, or eat. There’s definitely more demand this year. It’s heartbreaking.”

Regarded as SOYA’s busiest event of the year, the dinner and stocking giveaway also provided attendees with hats, mitts, scarves, hygiene products, and Christmas treats.

“Everyone deserves a Christmas stocking,” she said.

The Water Tower Inn and Grocer 4 Good offered their services to ensure a successful afternoon according to Raynor-Elliott, who feels incredibly appreciative for the community she says has responded so well during a time of great need.

“The community stepped up large,” she said. “Nobody is leaving here hungry because of them. Everyone has been super generous.”

While their food shelves are stocked for now, SOYA’s president notes that they are anticipating a difficult January.

“It’s always the worst month,” she said. “We encourage everyone to keep up the generosity. It just takes that one smile, one can of food, or that one hug, and you can change somebody’s world.”

In addition to mitts, hats, and scarves, Raynor-Elliott says they can always use Kraft Dinner, peanut butter, tuna, cup of noodles, hot chocolate, Ensure (for seniors), and personal hygiene products.

SOYA’s depot is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.