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Rose is cooking Christmas dinner for 300

That involves 800 pounds of turkey and lots of donations
rose romita
City Councillor Rose Romita in the kitchen at Central United Church. Sue Sgambati/BarrieToday

Rose Romita's annual Christmas community dinner has been held for more than 22 years but she doesn't remember exactly how long.

It started off with Christmas for about 50 people and the stories got her hooked. 

"There was a single dad with two children whose wife had just died and had nowhere to go," Romita recalls. "After he said 'Thank you so much. I didn't know what I was going to do with my kids. You really made our Christmas.'"

This year, she expects to serve 72 turkeys or 800 pounds of bird at Central United Church on Ross Street.

It's the traditional festive meal:  Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, caesar salad, desserts.

Initially, the holiday dinner was for the homeless but evolved to include "anyone who needs to be there" and eight years ago she expanded to Thanksgiving and Easter. 

"I really enjoy it. It's like one big family," said Romita, a City Councillor who is a long-time restaurateur and has a catering business. "There's no fakeness - everybody is themselves. Nobody acts like they're superior to anybody else which is what I love about it."

And she says it doesn't matter what walk of life you come from.

Everyone is welcome.

"If you have nowhere to go, this is the place to be.  We have seniors. They call me and my daughter goes and picks them up because they have nowhere to go but yet they come with little gifts like mittens for the children."

Romita is expecting up to 350 guests for the continuous, all-day buffet from noon to 6 p.m. Christmas Day.

As many 800 meals will be served along with karaoke, a professional DJ and people are encouraged to bring instruments to play music.

There are always "volunteers galore" - so many they have to give time slots along with a core group of regulars that shows up every year.

Romita says she's the organizer and there's an army of others who help make the dinner happen.

"People want to help. They don't know how. I plant the seed," she said. 

All the food is donated and the event is a community effort. 

Fox's Bakery has offered their big walk-in oven to cook the turkeys, Fresh Mix donates romaine and The Italian Bakery always donates bread for stuffing and desserts.

"We're looking for donations of turkeys, desserts, fruit, pop, water, mittens and socks to keep warm and of course cash,"

Romita said.

She'll do a 'big shop' to get deals on everything they need like seasonings, salad dressing, plates and decorations. 

Victoria Village owns the church and is giving her the space to welcome all to the non-denominational party. 

But what about Romita's Christmas dinner?

"This is it. If I didn't do this I'd be sitting home alone," she said. 

She'll see relatives Christmas eve but for more than 22 years, she has made the day special for people who really need a boost. 

"My main concept is if you feel you need to be here then you should be here."

If you want to donate call Romita at 705-722-7763.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Sue Sgambati

About the Author: Sue Sgambati

Sue has had a 30-year career in journalism working for print, radio and TV. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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