The holiday season is the time of giving and that's exactly what the Kelowna Gospel Mission (KGM) was doing on Saturday, Dec. 21. 

"We're celebrating Christmas as a community," said KGM director of resource redevelopment Troy McKnight. "We're providing a Christmas meal for our shelter residents and our outreach team will be taking the same meal out into the public to serve people who are unhoused."

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and dessert is all included in the meal being served. KGM estimated that 200-250 meals would be served at lunch time and up to 700 throughout the from including the outreach teams.

"We're really thankful for the community, particularly around this time of year. Donors, corporate partners, everyone's feeling generous," added McKnight. "It's the season where people are thankful for what they have and they tend to be generous, so we've been really, really blessed."

As well as financial donations, they have received many very handy materialistic donations including winter coats, sleeping bags, socks, gloves, and hand warmers.

He also added that this has been a different year because of the postal strike. While people have made the switch to online donations, KGM has experienced an overall 10 per cent decrease from last year, strictly from the strike.

"That's where a lot of our giving comes from during the year," said McKnight. "We have experienced a drop in giving so it's been more important that the community rallies and supports the work that we do." 

However, he added that mail-in donations could come in now that Canada Post is working again.

"We've actually weathered this season fairly well, but it has been a real challenge," said McKnight. 

Despite that, McKnight said the command is "very high."

"We've continued to see a growing number of people in need of support and services, living unsheltered so we continue to work to meet those needs but it is challenging," said McKnight.

Thoughtout Saturday, KGM has a number of its partners and donors show up to their location at 251 Leon Avenue to volunteer their time by helping to prep and serve the food.

On Christmas Day, KGM will be serving different meals to its various locations it serves. The meals will arrange from turkey dinners to steak dinners and more.