logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Top notch nosh: Community Dinners a delicious tradition
Arts and Culture, Community, Local Dining, News
By Bob Covey
Monday, February 27, 2023
Top notch nosh: Community Dinners a delicious tradition

More than 540 people lined up for a Sunday Community Dinner at the Jasper Activity Centre on February 26.

Staff and volunteers with The Raven Bistro cooked and dished up Shwarma-seasoned pulled chicken and fire-roasted tomato chickpea stew on coconut jasmine rice, served with hummus, tzatziki, carrots, cucumbers, olives and naan bread. Dessert was spiced apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.

Community Dinners have been back on the menu this year after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.

The Community Dinner tradition stretches back 20 years, when the Jasper Community Team and other local agencies wanted to fill a gap left by a lack of business in the town. Jasper, ever-dependent on its visitor economy, had very little snow to offer its skiing clientele in 2003. Consequently, lift operators and other tourism staff were out of work.

By providing a by-donation meal, local agencies wanted to create support for that stressed out part of the community, Director of Community Development Christopher Read told CBC’s Daybreak Alberta on Saturday.




“After that first week, the benefit to the community was clear,” Read said.

Since then, every Sunday throughout the winter, different Jasper businesses, non-profit organizations and agencies take turns creating the dinner. A regular cadre of volunteers help with set-up, bussing, dishwashing and take-down. The Municipality of Jasper provides the seed funding and a staff member for coordination, but otherwise, the donations cover the program’s costs.

“Those that can contribute, donate,” Read said. “There’s obviously no judgement.”

Read told Daybreak Alberta host Paul Karchut that the key to the program’s longevity has been its community building capacity.

“In a well-connected community you have to have time together,” Read said. “Breaking bread together is a great way to do that.”

Next Sunday’s Community Dinner (March 5) will be hosted by Pursuit Collection.


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Jasper Community Team hires new ED, partnering with foundation
Community
Jasper Community Team hires new ED, partnering with foundation
Bob Covey 
Thursday, April 10, 2025
The Jasper Community Team Society has boosted its capacity to assist local residents. The trusted community organization, which has received more than...
this is a test
Tourism operators pledge $5.5 million for Jasper’s recovery
Business
Tourism operators pledge $5.5 million for Jasper’s recovery
Thursday, February 13, 2025
A group of tourism companies have collectively pledged more than $5.5 million to aid in Jasper’s wildfire recovery. Pursuit, the Fairmont Jasper Park ...
this is a test
Deep pow, deeper meaning: SkiBig3 lifts up Jasper
Community
Deep pow, deeper meaning: SkiBig3 lifts up Jasper
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Ski resorts in the Bow Valley joined forces to boost the community of Jasper recently. From December 6 to 8, the SkiBig3 Community Ski Days gave Bow V...
this is a test
Holiday cheer for displaced Jasperites
Community
Holiday cheer for displaced Jasperites
Friday, November 29, 2024
The Jasper Community Team Society and Santas Anonymous organizers are working hard to ensure community members have the opportunity to gather over the...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Latest ›
Jasper veterinarian bidding fur-well
Community
Jasper veterinarian bidding fur-well
Georgia Ristivojevic, freelance contributor 
Thursday, May 8, 2025
If your beloved furry friend calls Jasper home, chances are you are familiar with Dr. Janet Jones, Jasper and Valemount’s local veterinarian.  For the...
this is a test
Men’s Shed constructing community
Community
Men’s Shed constructing community
Bob Covey 
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Connection, camaraderie, community: Grand Opening May 10 A new movement is building in Jasper. Since February 6, the local chapter of Men’s Shed Canad...
this is a test
Neophyte author pens fantastical journey in familiar setting
Arts & Culture
Neophyte author pens fantastical journey in familiar setting
Bob Covey 
Saturday, May 3, 2025
The playful bending of personal knowledge, documented history and mythology—kindled from the stories of First Nations cultures he has deep reverence a...
this is a test
Opinion: Forget party politics. Vote for local representation
Alberta Politics
Opinion: Forget party politics. Vote for local representation
Bob Covey 
Friday, April 25, 2025
For the first time in decades, Yellowhead has a real race on its hands Pundits and prognosticators are all saying it: this federal election is the mos...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Fresh charges for snowboard thief

Community, News

Most Read ›
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Latest ›
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Community
Perfect, different storms: Wildfire talk to draw on 200 years of forest history
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
“One thing that has been clear is human behaviour hasn't changed. We tend to think that the last fire was an anomaly, think of it as unfortunate, and ...
this is a test
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Biking
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Vicious Cycle's pop-up location opened on May 1; eight more businesses are expected to move in over the next two months until an official launch on th...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local