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A seat at the table: Souls Harbour serves 2,000 Thanksgiving meals across N.S.

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Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is serving Thanksgiving dinner to thousands of Nova Scotians at nine locations across the province over the holiday weekend.

“This is our 15th year of doing Thanksgiving dinners at Souls Harbour, and we have two new locations this year – one in Dartmouth and one in Yarmouth,” said Michelle Porter, CEO of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission. “We’re serving 2,000 meals, an increase of more than 66% over last year.”

Volunteers serving guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

The new drop-in centres served their first holiday meals earlier this spring during Easter celebrations.

“People love these events,” boasts Porter. “They make you feel like you’re part of something bigger and special. Everything from the turkey dinner right to being able to take home some treats.

“The vibe at all the locations is just one of a celebration.”

Volunteer serving hot meals to guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

Porter said each location is serving the same menu, but puts its own spin on the meal by choosing one non-traditional side dish.

“I know the volunteer department is in overdrive on weeks like this, and to top it off, we have a volunteer drive at Mission Mart for the whole month of October.”

She said donations help make the dinners possible. Monetary donations can be made through the organization’s website, at any Souls Harbour location, or at Mission Mart in Bayer’s Lake.

Volunteer spending time with guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

“Mission Mart is our thrift store, it’s our social enterprise, and so it’s convenient for people who want to come and do a bit of shopping but also drop off their donation,” Porter explained.

For Thanksgiving, Souls Harbour is also collecting special donations for what it calls “a little happy pack” that guests receive on their way out the door.

“That is a chocolate bar, a bag of chips, and a can of pop.”

Volunteers handing out “happy packs” at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

At the organization’s Cunard Street location in Halifax on Friday, the room was packed with people as the smell of turkey and gravy drifted from the kitchen and guests were served generous plates of hot food.

Porter said Souls Harbour added an extra personal touch by including a greeting for each guest at their table.

Placemat with personal greeting written by Nova Scotians for Souls Harbour guests. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

“We have had people from across Nova Scotia giving their greetings to all of our guests. Every table is set with this amazing placemat with a personalized greeting, and I think that just adds to the specialness of Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s a real milestone for Souls Harbor to be able to help that many folks.”

OPP roadside check of vehicles in Ignace July 4 2026 OPP FB adjusted

Provincial Police to make themselves highly visible in northwestern Ontario this weekend

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Another traffic enforcement blitz from the Ontario Provincial Police this weekend.

Provincial Police say they will again watch for high-risk driving habits, such as speeding, aggressive driving, and impaired driving.

Seatbelt compliance and a check of child care seats are also on the agenda.

It is known as Operation Impact, an annual national traffic safety initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

OPP says the Thanksgiving weekend has been one of the most tragic in Ontario, with 13 fatalities recorded across the province last year.

In northwestern Ontario, OPP laid more than 400 charges, with over 90 percent for speeding.

Police also plan to continue patrols of trails and waterways, targeting unsafe behaviour and promoting safety.

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Firefighters, Salvation Army preparing for community Thanksgiving meal

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The Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association and The Salvation Army are teaming up again to provide a free Thanksgiving lunch for community members who may be experiencing loneliness, financial hardship, or food insecurity.

The annual event will take place on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Journey to Life Centre, located at 545 Cumberland St. N.

A group of about a dozen firefighters took an hour on Friday to prepare the Thanksgiving potatoes (Jacob Henriksen-Willis / October 9 2026)

Now in its 29th year, the Thanksgiving dinner has become a longstanding tradition in Thunder Bay. Members of the firefighters’ association, along with their family, prepare and serve a sit-down turkey meal to guests as a way of giving back to the community.

“The Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association are happy to support this dinner again for the 29th year,” said Kevin Anderson of the firefighters’ association. “We feel it’s important to give back to the community by providing a Thanksgiving dinner to those who may otherwise not have the opportunity to have one.”

Organizers say the event comes at a time when many residents are struggling with the rising cost of living, while others face challenges related to poverty, homelessness, mental illness, addictions, and social isolation.

“We are thankful that we can brighten lives by providing a delicious Thanksgiving dinner to those who are experiencing financial challenges or who are alone at this special time,” said Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Journey to Life Centre. “Our heartfelt thanks to the Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association and their families who take time out of their own festivities to make this dinner possible.”

The dinner is free and open to anyone in need or anyone who would simply like companionship during the holiday weekend.

To help people get to the event, complimentary shuttle service will be provided by Iron Range Bus Lines. Buses will run from the City Hall Terminal and Water Street Terminal, with service beginning at 11:45 a.m. from City Hall.

Organizers encourage anyone who may be struggling this Thanksgiving, or who does not have family or friends to celebrate with, to attend and enjoy a warm meal in a welcoming environment.

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Firefighters team up with The Salvation Army for 28th annual thanksgiving dinner

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The Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association (TBPFFA) will serve a communal meal of turkey and potatoes at The Salvation Army’s Journey to Life Centre at 545 Cumberland St. North this Sunday between noon and 2:00 p.m.

The firefighting association has participated in the tradition alongside The Salvation Army for 28 years. As well as serving the meal, off-duty firefighters also assist with preparing the food each year.

Kevin Anderson is with public relations for the TBPFFA. He says many firefighters bring their families to the Sunday meal, and some even bring their children to help out on Friday with peeling potatoes.

Firefighters peel and cut potatoes on Friday at the Journey to Life Centre. (Sam Goldstein/October 10, 2025)

“They want to pass it on best they can, and support the community. It’s an easy ask and we get lots of volunteers,” Anderson says.

Anderson says the off-duty firefighters peel hundreds of pounds of potatoes to help take some work off the shoulders of those in The Salvation Army’s kitchen. Beyond serving the meal, they also help with the cleanup on Sunday.

“When we look at it, we have a lot of mental health and addiction aspects in the community, with poverty,” says Gary Ferguson, Executive Director for The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre. “We’re grateful that we can actually help people at this time of year. It’s a celebration for us. But for many people that are without, it’s not a celebration. So we’re able to provide a good, nutritious meal for them for that day.”

Gary Ferguson, left, and Kevin Anderson, right, discuss the meal in the Journey to Life Centre kitchen. (Sam Goldstein/October 10, 2025)

Ferguson expects between 250 and 300 people to show up on Sunday.

“We have the aspect of fellowship, a little bit of camaraderie. People know each other. It’s a great feeling to help others and to see others enjoying a good meal at this time,” Ferguson says.

The Salvation Army reminds attendees that buses will run from City Hall and the Water St. Terminal beginning at 11:45 a.m. for those who need transportation.