With generous help from the Peace Tree, the Moonflower Market, Red Cliffs Lodge, and many other sponsors including the United Way, WabiSabi will offer a community Christmas dinner on Tuesday, December 25, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. at the Grand Center. The dinner is offered to the community free of charge; however, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Everyone is invited to attend.

This is the eighth year WabiSabi is offering a free or by-donation Christmas dinner through its Winter Meals program. WabiSabi is excited to announce that the meal will be prepared by Kay Davis of Moonflower Market and Kara Stoner. Though Red Cliffs Lodge is unable to continue their longstanding tradition of cooking, they have generously offered to cover this year’s food budget. The Grand Center contributes their facilities for serving and dining, while Karen Whipple has offered the use of the kitchen at the Peace Tree Juice Café.

“Peace Tree has always been glad to donate cheesecakes to WabiSabi’s Thanksgiving, but it’s an amazing feeling to be able to step up and provide the kitchen this year.” says Whipple. “We see it as a great opportunity to give back to a community that gives to us all year long.”

The Christmas meal represents a unique union between various businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Moab area who believe in a common cause: “We’re doing this simply because feeding our community is important” says Davis. A broad cross-section of the community attends the WabiSabi Winter Meals each year, from schoolteachers and business owners to the unemployed and homeless. Last year 500 meals were served on Christmas day, including delivery to those that are homebound. And while all appreciate the free meal, the goal of the program pertains more to building the bonds of community than helping people through lean economic times.

The event would not be possible without the dedication of over 100 volunteers who help to cook, serve, clean, decorate and coordinate for the event. “We live in such a generous and supportive community, and it’s great to harness that good energy and share it with everyone,” says Holly Dinsmore, WabiSabi’s Warehouse Manager and organizer of the WabiSabi Winter Meals. “This is a tough time for everyone, and whatever we can do to help people out, we want to do it. We don’t want to see anyone spend the holidays alone.”

“Out of all of the programs we run here at WabiSabi, our Winter Meals are distinctive because of the level of community participation across all lines. It’s not often that you get to interact with so many different members of the community while also eating a delicious meal.” adds Mandy Turner, Program Director.

As always, generous community involvement is vital to the success of the event. WabiSabi is unable to accept food donations from individuals as everything served must be prepared in a commercial kitchen. However, financial contributions to the event are welcome and may be mailed to WabiSabi, 1030 S. Bowling Alley Lane, Moab, UT 84532. Gift certificates to local grocery stores for last minute food costs are also appreciated.

“It’s amazing to see how many people jump in and help out with these meals,” says Dinsmore. “We are so fortunate to live in a community where everyone wants to get involved and help one another out. It’s truly an expression of the holiday spirit.”
WabiSabi is an integral part of community, supporting its eclectic sense of identity and the diversity of the residents that comprise Moab. To learn more, visit www.wabisabimoab.org.