Big meal starts winter holidays off right at Gordon Bell

Grades 7 to 9 students at Gordon Bell High School were treated to a delicious turkey dinner on during the last week of school before Winter Break.

The junior high feast has been a longstanding tradition at the school.

“The Middle Years staff have traditionally organized a nutritious holiday feast for our students,” said Shane Barchuk, teacher and Grade 7-9 Department Head at Gordon Bell. “They may not otherwise have that experience over Winter Break, so we want to give that to them. It’s part of just wanting to be kind and caring to our students.”

The Gordon Bell community plays an important role in the event; community members (including city councillor Lisa Naylor, WSD trustee Jennifer Chen and representatives from the Winnipeg Police Service) helped to serve the meal and local businesses made donations to help with the meal costs.

This year’s turkeys were courtesy of Food Fare, potatoes and carrots came from Peak of the Market, and rolls/bread from Hildegard’s, Tall Grass Bakery and Stella's.  Tec Voc High School’s culinary arts department assisted Gordon Bell staff in preparing the meal.

“We’ve had parent volunteers with chef backgrounds that have come in and helped us, and we have to give a huge shout out to Tec Voc for helping us cook the turkeys,” Mr. Barchuk said. “The City of Winnipeg also gave us some grant money to get this done. All that help is appreciated.”

Mr. Barchuk said the event has been running at the school for the entirety of his 12 years at Gordon Bell; when the previous lead organizer moved on from the school, he decided to take the responsibility alongside the ten person planning committee.

“I just felt it was something that had to continue,” he said. “It takes about two months to get this organized…it can get pretty busy, but it’s a labour of love.”

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