Langfords Grocery in Campbell’s Bay handed out turkey dinners on Tuesday night. The row of cars out front suggested a busy giveaway, but it was even more industrious than the traffic suggested: “These cars all belong to volunteers who are here to . . .

pick up and deliver meals to people around the region,” said Gabriel Lemaire, a community outreach worker with AutonHomme Pontiac.

It was the third year of this event, and their biggest so far: “We got some publicity for this event on CHIP,” Lemaire said. “That generated a lot of calls from people who wanted to reserve a dinner, but we also got a lot of inquiries from community members, volunteering to drive meals to people.”

This year, Langfords produced 300 dinners for the community. Some were picked up by their intended recipients, but many were handed off to be delivered by volunteers. “We were able to find people willing to drive meals pretty far afield,” said Lemaire, as the line of busy kitchen staff bustled around him. This year, they were able to deliver meals as far north as Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Fort-Coulonge, and as far south as Quyon.

The meals were generous. High-quality, thoughtfully prepared ingredients, and with abundant variety: turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, meat pie, pork, side dishes, soda and multiple desserts. They didn’t hold back.

The food was made possible by Tony Dar, owner of Langfords. He donated the food and use of his restaurant, and coordinated the delivery logistics with AutonHomme, in order to give a free meal to as many people in the Pontiac as he could.

Dar first bought the Langfords grocery in Shawville, and his second store in Campbell’s Bay has been offering the free dinner for three years. “The first year we did this, we gave about 40 or 50 meals,” he explained. “This year,” he continued, “we have 300 dinners going out.”

Originally, the restaurant offered sit-down dining for people who wished to stay. Since then, the situation with COVID has necessitated a ‘take out only’ policy for the restaurant. Participants were invited to pick up their meals at the store, but if they were unable to make it to Campbell’s Bay, AutonHomme would endeavour to deliver. “The Pontiac — it’s a pretty big area,” said Dar. “We would like to make sure we reach everyone.”

And he does, indeed mean everyone. “If you want to participate in this event because you’re feeling like taking a night off, I’m happy to make you dinner,” he said.

As the inevitable call from the kitchen arrived to signal they were no longer able to accommodate walk-in requests, Dar responded: “If anyone comes in wanting food, give them the menu from the restaurant and they can choose whatever they want, we will make it for them free of charge.”

Turkey isn’t the point. And publicity isn’t the point either. “I would rather have the volunteers and coordinators get the recognition, and make sure people know and care about what is happening in the community,” he said.

If you are able to contribute, AutonHomme Pontiac is a non-profit organization that helps and supports men of the Pontiac. They will also help people who are in need of support. AutonHomme Pontiac can be reached at (819) 648-2309.

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