Residents in Altona, Manitoba, can head to a local community hub this weekend for a free warm meal and a chance to meet their neighbours. The next community dinner is happening on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Community Exchange (TCE) to help people stay connected and fed during the cold winter months.
The event at 116 Main Street is open to everyone — including seniors, newcomers, and families — regardless of their financial situation. Volunteers from the community serve a full-course meal from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM; the program relies on food-rescue and volunteer labour to keep the meal free for guests.
The dinner is organized by Seeds Church in partnership with Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church as part of TCE’s open-table approach to combat isolation and build connections. This winter the program is distributing winter essentials such as socks and hats through the Share the Warmth initiative (including a partnership with the Blessing Bags Project) during the January and February dinners.
Financial and in-kind support comes from the Altona Community Foundation and local businesses: the Foundation provides grant funding and other financial support, while local businesses and organizations frequently supply volunteer teams and promotional support to run the monthly dinners. The community meal is held on the last Saturday of each month from 5:00–6:30 PM (it does not run on the last Saturday in December or during July and August). There is no need to sign up; the meal is served on a walk-in basis for anyone who wants to attend.
If filming or photographing the event, organizers ask that you coordinate in advance with event staff (contact details available through The Community Exchange or Seeds Church) to ensure the privacy of vulnerable attendees is respected.
