Hundreds received a hearty holiday meal Saturday in the Sault

Many less fortunate fed at annual Christmas dinner Save our Young Adults in the Sault along with a local food bank & community resource centre held its annual Christmas dinner.

Saturday saw the sixth annual Christmas Dinner for Save Our Young Adults, better known as SOYA, in the Sault.

SOYA CHRISTMAS LINE Some community members lined up as early as 8:30 a.m. on Saturday for SOYA's annual Christmas dinner. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Even before the four-hour event officially began at 11 a.m., more than 30 community members were already lined up in anticipation – some arriving as early as 8:30 a.m.

SOYA founder Connie Raynor told CTV News the need is higher than it has ever been.

"We help out everybody, there's no judgment,” she said.

“We help out people with mental illness, substance use disorders, seniors. We help out new Canadians, students, families, anybody that needs help we're here."

SOYA prepared to serve as many as 300 meals, with 10 turkeys, 10 hams, and 300 lbs of potatoes done up for the occasion.

In addition, plates included carrots, stuffing and gravy, with tiramisu for dessert.

SOYA CHRISTMAS DINNER 2023 SOYA prepared to serve as many as 300 meals with ham, turkey, potatoes, carrots, stuffing and gravy along with tiramisu for dessert. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Raynor said the event is the result of over a dozen volunteers on hand for the day and more than 50 people from across the community contributing in advance.

"They always step up. Anytime we ask for something, it comes. I just put a post up and boom,” she said.

“It's overwhelming, but it's awesome."

Raynor and SOYA volunteers also handed out stockings filled with "the essentials: hats, and mitts, as well as personal care products and treats of course."

With other volunteers giving hot chocolate and candy canes to passersby.

Kim Simpson, who volunteers with the organization twice a week, said she was thrilled to lend a hand, knowing how much the day means to those they serve.

"I can't be with my family this Christmas and I'm experiencing some emotions that I wasn't expecting,” she said.

“I can relate to a lot of the people who we help that need that support, and need that place to celebrate and be welcome."

Another volunteer, Les Lampkin, told CTV News he sees the good SOYA does and thought it would be a great way to spend a Saturday.

"We've got some people that are struggling out in the community and it means a lot to them to be able to come here, whether it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, to get a nice hot meal, a warm hug, and a smiling face," said Lampkin.

Raynor said she knows that the holidays can be a tough time for a lot of people and that she holds the yearly Christmas dinner to spread cheer.

"I really want people to know you're not alone,” she said.

“You might be alone, by yourself, but you're always welcome here."