Vancouver charity hosting 82nd annual Christmas meal

A holiday tradition is returning to the Lower Mainland Friday.

The Union Gospel Mission will host its 82nd annual Christmas Meal at the charity’s Downtown Eastside and New Westminster locations.

Spokesperson Nick Wells says UGM made the choice to host the event on a weekday for a good reason.

“There’s a bunch of different meals that run around similar times. So this is making sure that we are focusing and discussing with our community that we’re not doubling up so that … you don’t have a bunch of service providers all performing the same meal just around a few same hours,” Wells explained, adding that it also prevents UGM staff from having to work on a day off.

Wells says the need for UGM’s services is greater than ever.

“We are seeing longer lines for our daily meals, we’re seeing longer lines at lunch and dinner, we’re seeing a more diverse kind of crowd — a bigger age range in the people that are accessing our services. So a lot more older people, as we saw with the homeless count.”

Despite greater demand and changing demographics, Wells says the UGM’s guests are struggling with the same issues as 82 years ago.

“Affordability is tough, people are being displaced, and people are struggling with different health concerns,” he said.

“This is a moment to focus on the little things in life and focus on community, connection, and a meal.”

The 2025 UGM Christmas Meal will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the charity’s 601 East Hastings Street location in Vancouver, and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the 658 Clarkson Street location in New Westminster.

Women and families are invited to dine at the UGM Women & Families Centre at 616 East Cordova Street in Vancouver from 2:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.