'A gift to the community': Oilers and Hope Mission serve Christmas dinner to families in need

Kasperi Kapanen (left) and Adam Henrique (right) of the Edmonton Oilers serve Christmas dinners to families in need on Dec. 17, 2024. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)

The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation partnered with Hope Mission to serve up Christmas dinners for families in need on Tuesday evening.

Edmonton Oilers players, coaches, management and representatives of the foundation supported underprivileged families who struggle to make ends meet at Ivor Dent School, located at 110 Avenue and 32 Street.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Kevin Wiebe, the donor relation manager for Hope Mission, told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday providing help to families is "truly a gift to the community."

"This event is incredibly important for our community (and) for the families that we serve … and having the Edmonton Oilers come and serve this meal is so very special," said Wiebe.

"This Christmas dinner could be the only Christmas dinner that some of these families get," he added.

Wiebe said the Hope Mission’s Kids in Action program were expecting to serve nearly 400 people in the Beverly neighbourhood.

According to Statistics Canada, nearly 30 per cent of people under 18 in Alberta are facing food insecurity.

Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers, who attended the event, said Hope Mission events are a "really good opportunity" for Oilers to share what they can to fans in need.

"It's incredible how tough these people are … it's a hard thing to do, what they have to persevere through every single day," said the Oilers goaltender.

"It gives us a lot of perspective, too … It's easy driving (to) the rink every day and you go through your day, you have your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not a lot of people get to all three meals of the day, especially around the holidays," he added.

The donor relation manager also said the event provided a chance for the kids and families to meet the Oilers in person, which may not have been possible without Hope Mission.

"To have these incredible heroes … (coming) here and be the ones to do the serving to some of our city's most vulnerable families is a really special thing for the kids and families that we serve," said Wiebe.