After taking the summer off, the Backyard Friends Community Supper returns tonight in Lacombe at the LMC.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with a game of bingo. Supper gets underway at 5:30 p.m.
The free Community Supper will take place on the third Wednesday of every month during September, October, and November. The meal will take a break during December but is expected to return in January.
Lacombe FCSS Community Projects Coordinator Wendy Griffin says the event wouldn't be possible without the support of the community.
"We have really great partnerships with different businesses around Lacombe for the Community Dinner, so we do get a lot of help there. It's just free of charge for anybody who wants to come. Any age, anybody can walk through the door. We usually serve anywhere between 250-300 meals the Wednesday that we serve. It's a big event."
Griffin notes they usually see between 25 and 35 volunteers helping out with the supper, which adds up to about 90 hours of work that's required to put one meal on. Volunteers show up at around 1 p.m. to start with the meal prep.
She invites everyone to come down and enjoy some free food and camaraderie.
"We have young families to seniors. We have doctors that come for dinner just to connect with their neighbours and we have people that are homeless that are there for dinner. It really brings everyone out."
Griffin says Give Share Care Lacombe provided funding for the meal back in May, however they will be looking for sponsors again in the new year.
Donations will be accepted at the door, but are not required.