Mission high school students dished up some Christmas spirit at Heritage Park Secondary School on Saturday.

Leadership students from all three area high schools hosted a free Christmas dinner for the homeless and vulnerable members in the community as part of the third annual High Schools Have Heart event.

Teacher Al LaFontaine said the teens served as many as 240 people all the Christmas fixings, including turkey, stuffing, veggies and pie for dessert.

More than 100 students helped throughout the day in the kitchen and cafeteria, or handed out goodies and supplies for the guests, said LaFontaine.

The teenagers and their guests benefited from the event, he added.

"It's a good opportunity for students to learn the reality of these individuals and see the breadth of people [facing difficulties]," said LaFontaine.

"The truly homeless attended, but there were also people with pensions who can't quite make ends meet."

Students took the opportunity to sit and chat with their guests; hopefully, they took away a better understanding of the growing gap between rich and poor, he said.

"It adds a bit more humanity to the whole concept of our community and makes clear all people have their own story. [Students] remember that."

Students also organized goodie bags, food baskets, toiletries, clothing and gifts contributed by local businesses, parents and community members and the HPSS cafeteria program.

Grade 11 student Emma Critchley decided to take part in the event to get into the spirit of giving and serving others at Christmas.

It was a shock for the 16-year-old to see so many children at the event.

But kids' faces lit up when they got their meals and gifts, said Critchley.

"There were at least two kids at every table. It makes me sad to think about it, but it was good to bring them some joy," she said.

"It was very rewarding, and I went home and felt good I could bring that joy to people."

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com