Siloam Mission served 850 meals at lunch today for its annual Easter gathering.

Communications manager Luke Thiessen said it was an early start for their food services manager, and they had some extra volunteers helping out as well.

"Not only are we preparing so much more food, but we're also serving the meal right to the tables, so rather than our community members coming up and lining up for a meal, they have a seat and we have people who are coming to bring them plates right to their seats," said Thiessen this morning. He said about 50 volunteers from the Manitoba Real Estate Association came to help out.

Thiessen says Siloam's dining hall now seats about 400 people. He says they typically serve an average of 400-500 meals, three times per day. He says they see large numbers on all of their holiday meals.

"Especially on these holiday meals I think we see people who -- not only is there a need for the basics like food and shelter, but there's a need for a place to get together and have community."

Thiessen said today's lunch at Siloam was a "traditional turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and all the works," including pie for dessert.