‘We don’t want anyone to be hungry’: Calgarians treated to hot holiday meals
Posted Dec 23, 2022 9:29 am.
Last Updated Dec 23, 2022 11:05 am.
‘Tis the season to give back, and that’s just what one family-run burger joint is doing on Christmas eve, among many groups helping Calgarians find a warm meal over the holidays.
For the past four years, the Qiro family has spent Christmas eve serving up burgers by the hundreds with their Kensington restaurant Flipp’n Burgers, specifically for less fortunate Calgarians.
Originally from Albania, they moved to Calgary in 2008, and giving back to the YYC community has always been a priority.
“When my family first came to Canada, they came as immigrants, so they know a lot about poverty and how hard it can be,” said Jorgji Qiro, one of the owners of Flipp’n Burgers.
“On the 24th, it’s Christmas eve, and it’s hard for some people, and we don’t want anyone to be hungry. So, it’s like, you can come in and grab a burger anytime, and it’s on us, you know?”
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Last year, the burger joint served up 700 free burgers from their Kensington-based restaurant, and they’re prepared to go even bigger this year.
“Every year we increase, so I hope this year many people are going to see the live event, and they’re going to come to reach 1,000 burgers, so we are ready for 1,000 burgers,” said Kris Qiro, another owner, and the uncle of Jorji.
The crew at Flipp’n Burgers will also deliver 600 burgers to the Mustard Seed and Calgary Drop-in Centre on Saturday.
The inside of Flipp’n Burgers on 10 Street NW in the Kensington area in Calgary on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (Max Latimer, CityNews photo)
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Mount Royal University is also serving free holiday meals on Christmas eve for students staying in residence over the holidays and for Ukrainian refugees.
Mark Keller, the director of residence services for Mount Royal University, says this is a chance for people to connect, while also providing some holiday spirit.
“This is for any of our students who are sticking around over the break. We have about 150 [students] who have signed up to be here for at least some portion of the break. And then we also have about 70 Ukrainian guests stay with us as well right now,” Keller said.
“This is also for them as a way to say happy holidays and hopefully to get the students and Ukrainian guests to connect a little bit as well.”
These Calgary groups will be busy serving burgers, perogies and sausages on Christmas eve, all in the name of festive giving.
