A community lunch to welcome the new year is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Presbyterian Church in White Rock.
Open to everyone, the free meal will be served by families from different faith traditions.
According to a news release, the event is part of an ongoing, community-led 'Interfaith Bi-Weekly Food Ministry' that has been operating for the past four years in Whalley, serving food and providing clothing every second Saturday to the homeless.
The White Rock lunch will be prepared on-site; volunteers are to include students from Semiahmoo Secondary and H.T. Thrift Elementary.
Organizer Arun Chatterjee said families that prepare and serve the meal will also join those who turn out at the tables.
"This allows people who come from different faith backgrounds to experience empathy and compassion together and connect with each other at a deeper level that transcends judgment and brings them together across numerous divides," Chatterjee said in the release.
Chatterjee encouraged families with young children to get involved with the preparation and serving, describing the program as "an opportunity for children to learn how to connect with others without judgment."
"They become aware of wider societal issues like inequality and they take this awareness with them wherever they go to lead meaningful and compassionate lives."
St. John's Presbyterian Church is located at 1480 George St.
For more information or to get involved, contact Chatterjee at 778-294-0146 or arunavc@hotmail.com