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Our Place Easter dinner solidifies Victoria community as family

Politicians and other community leaders will serve 1,000 meals on Wednesday
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Preparations are underway for the annual Easter dinner at Our Place Society, slated for Wednesday (March 28).

“It’s like Iron Chef here. About 50 per cent of our food is donated,” says Grant McKenzie, director of communications at Our Place, referring to the popular reality TV show where contestants arrange mouth-watering meals from limited supplies.

The commitment to the restoration of dignity is what makes Our Place a cohesive unit. The Easter dinner will help toward that goal by seeing 1,000 plates served to people facing poverty in the city, by local politicians, sponsors and local media.

“We bring in hams, potatoes, vegetables and pies – the whole bit,” McKenzie says, adding that Rogers Chocolates has donated enough chocolate eggs for everyone. “Thankfully, they’ve been hidden away.”

The served sit-down meal – two hours allows for multiple sittings – is a nice change for family members from the usual cafeteria-style setting.

“It’s table service with place mats and table cloths,” says McKenzie. “It comes back to dignity and respect. Part of this is trying to show that we’re all the same.”

He adds: “There’s a reason why some people are not connected with their immediate family. So this becomes their family. And this is their family Easter meal.”

anna.james@vicnews.co