Can’t wait for Christmas dinner? Enjoy the first holiday meal of the season December 4, when Feed the Town returns to The View restaurant at Copper Point Golf Course.

The annual event is now in its eighth year, and Copper Point general manager Brian Schaal says the course is once again preparing to serve approximately 900 turkey and ham dinners to valley residents.

“It’s Christmas dinner for everybody and anybody,” says Shaal.

Those in need can enjoy dinner on the house, while those who can give back are asked to make donations to the food bank, to help feed other valley residents through the rest of the holiday season.

“If people come for Christmas dinner and can bring a non-perishable food item, that’s great. And some people bring cheques and cash,” Schaal says. “We do quite well for the food bank, especially the last couple years.”

Schaal says the event was originally inspired by other giving the golf course was already doing.

“We get asked for donations, probably on average five to 10 times a day. And the president at that time said, ‘well, why don’t we feed the whole valley?'” he remembers. “And then it was like hey, wait a minute, let’s do that. Let’s feed the town.”

Turnout has grown over the years, with volunteers now handing out hundreds of slices of pie and scooping up about 200 pounds of mashed potatoes each season.

“Last year Ann Riches, who does all our cooking, came up to me and said ‘we’re running out of food.’ This was around 6 p.m., and it just so happened that the rush stopped and we were just perfect,” Schaal says.

The event runs from 1 to 6 p.m. this year, though the first rush of the day usually

begins with early birds who show up at 12:30 p.m. For families bringing children, Santa Claus will also be on hand to take holiday requests and pose for pictures.

Due to a high number of repeat volunteers who work the event each year, the golf course isn’t asking for extra helping hands, but is encouraging everyone to come out and enjoy the meal.

“We want to make sure there’s lots of food over the Christmas holidays for people that are in need,” Schaal adds.