An annual Christmas tradition will seem a bit different this year as the Cridland family prepare for the Community Christmas Dinner without their patriarch.
The Cridlands have been at the helm of the annual Community Christmas Dinner celebrations since 2019, and hosting from the Flint House restaurant beginning the year after that. Each year the family and restaurant staff prepare hundreds of meals to be given to volunteers to distribute throughout town, or picked up by those looking for a delicious holiday meal. That spirit of giving back to the community is emblematic of the family’s ethos, especially in the wake of Duane Cridland’s passing earlier this year, said Grace Cridland
“It was the year that the group that was doing it at the United Church decided all of a sudden they were going to quit doing it,” said Cridland.
“Actually, it was our daughters who came to us and said, ‘why can’t we do it?’ So we did it and it meant a lot. By moving it to Christmas Eve, it’s now allowed our family to still have Christmas Day to do things with the kids. In a way, it’s just a way to give back to the community, and it’s part of the things we love to do… we had a talk about, ‘do we stop doing it now that Dad’s died?’ and the girls were like, ‘why would we?’ It’s just something we want to do for the community.”
Just like last year, the Community Christmas Dinner this year is a Christmas Eve Dinner, with pick-up and delivery available for those interested in a delicious holiday meal. Each of the meals will be prepared in-house and reheating instructions will be included with them as they head out the door. For those looking to get a meal, the cutoff for orders is December 22, 2024, which leaves just under a week to get on the list. The pre-ordered meals will be available for pick-up at the Flint House from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and deliveries will start going out to those who ordered beginning at 1:00 p.m.
“I think we’re close to 400 meals,” Cridland said.
“Last year we did around 500. We haven’t ordered the food yet, but that’s why we save the cutoff date for December 22, so we can order food from Cisco up until that day. Last year we ordered a few more turkeys and everything in for that last day.”
As for those who volunteer their time to make deliveries around town, Cridland said they have once again been fortunate to have plenty of residents step up to make sure food goes out to those who ordered it, with many making the drive a special holiday tradition for their own families.
For those who are still looking to help out in some way, Cridland said donations are always welcome to help support the meals, and can be dropped off at the Flint House or Northwoods Gallery and Gifts, and that cheques can be made payable to Community Living.
