A 15-year tradition may be at risk as rising costs are impacting an Edmonton non-profit charity’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. Boyle Street Community Services says it is facing higher costs that include increased staffing requirements and the associated cost of moving to a new venue. The organization moved its services to King Thunderbird Centre, or okimaw peyesew kamik by its Cree name, in December. General rising costs of maintaining services and operations has also been a barrier for the organization that has been serving the city since 1971. “For more than 15 years, Boyle Street has been committed to providing a dignified, sit-down meal with all the Thanksgiving fixings to anyone who needs one,” said Elliott Tanti, director of external relations at Boyle Street. “We don’t want the rising cost of doing this work to mean that people have to lose something as important as this.” The organization is seeking financial donations from Edmontonians to cover the costs of this year’s dinner. Boyle Street supports families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness and poverty in Edmonton.
