Annual Christmas dinner pumps out more than 2,000 meals for those in need

More than 2,220 holiday meals were delivered during the annual Lemay dinner.

An annual Christmas dinner, providing a sense of holiday cheer to those in need across Windsor-Essex, delivered more than 2,000 meals on Saturday morning.

In its 8th year, Greg Lemay, who organizes the dinner, told CTV News that the 2,234 meals they handed out set a new record.

“We’re pumping out over 2,000 meals today, which is crazy. This is the most that we’ve ever done,” said Lemay.

Meals, including turkey breast, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes, were prepared at Macro Foods in Windsor.

Outside of the business, a line of cars waited patiently before trays of meals were placed into their trunks, destined for a house in need.

Volunteer drivers made 407 deliveries to households, as well as to local agencies, including the Downtown Mission.

“I never request a story or what the back story is, but you always get it, and it seems like a lot of people are down on their luck,” Lemay said of those who request a meal.

“I think that also speaks to who we are as Windsor-Essex. We always seem to get punched in the chin and hit the mat, but we get back up and we just try to help each other.”

In what started as a meal cooked out of Lemay’s house, the Christmas dinner now requires dozens of volunteers, including help from members of the Windsor Police Service and donations from local businesses.

A detailed delivery plan ensures drivers have all the necessary addresses and routes to arrive on time.

It’s estimated that donations to put the dinner together this year reached about $17,000.

In the days leading up to the dinner, Omar Abou-Said, the owner of Macro Foods, said they prepared about 3,000 pounds of turkey before his team packaged each meal.

From a “low-income family,” Abou-Said said he’s experienced “struggles” and enjoys an opportunity to help those who have fallen on hard times.

“Sometimes we didn’t have food on the table, and being able to do that and give back to our community, especially the community who has been supporting us for ten years now… without the community, we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

After years of helping with the dinner, the business owner noted they’ve “almost practically perfected” the execution, so they’re looking forward to continuing to help in the years to come.