Artful Dodger hosts Christmas meal for entire Regina community

The Artful Dodger in Regina has its doors open on Christmas Day for a free holiday meal.

"It's open to everyone," said Carol Cairns, organizer and co-owner of The Artful Dodger.

"It's family style, so that's why you see all kinds of different people helping."

This was the third year in a row the cafe and music emporium had hosted the Christmas meal. The last two years they had about 50 guests. This year they expected to have more than 100 people pass through by the end of the night. There's plenty of turkey and board games for the guests.

Cairns grew up in a large family and said she's wanted to put this gathering together for as long as she can remember.

"When I had my own family, and it was a small family, I always cooked too much food," she said. "I thought there's so many people that are home alone or whatever, that if we could somehow just open our doors and let them come and let them spend Christmas with us, it's just that feeling of togetherness."

The meal allowed a meeting place for anyone who had no where else to go, or anyone who just wanted to visit with their neighbours.

There's so many lonely people at Christmas time and I just thought it was a fabulous idea for people to get together.- Blaine Dodds

Nairn MacKay stopped by after visiting her father in the hospital. She said she came for a good cup of coffee.

"We figured some people we know from the the community would likely be here and sure enough, some of the people we know from the community are here and we're able to say hello," she said.

Blaine Dodds was also looking for a fun Christmas gathering after visiting his wife, who has bronchitis, in the hospital.

"There's so many lonely people at Christmas time and I just thought it was a fabulous idea for people to get together," he said.

The meal is from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST.