Prince Albert restaurant serves nearly 100 free meals on Christmas Day

Ricky's All Day Grill in Prince Albert served close to 100 free takeout meals on Christmas Day as a first-year community initiative, and owner-operator Saima Hussain said the restaurant was prepared to serve more.

Ricky's All Day Grill in Prince Albert ran a first-year initiative to offer free meals on Christmas Day. Owner-operator Saima Hussain said the restaurant served nearly 100 meals and was prepared to serve more. Dining service was closed that day and the restaurant operated on a takeout-only basis so people could wait inside while meals were prepared. Hussain described the event as driven largely by word of mouth and supported by a small family team who worked the day. Key details: - Ricky's All Day Grill served close to 100 free takeout meals, according to owner-operator Saima Hussain. - Dining was takeout-only, and the space allowed people to wait indoors while food was prepared. - The meal included a grilled cheese sandwich cut in half, warm soup, and coffee. - Many guests lacked phones or social media and learned about the service through shelters, organizations, or word of mouth. - Staffing that day was mainly family members, while most regular staff were given Christmas off. - Hussain shared a memorable interaction with a guest who asked to stay warm and later offered his meal to someone else. Summary: The event provided warm meals and indoor waiting space for people facing food insecurity and underscored how widespread those needs remain in the community. Hussain said she hopes to continue the effort beyond the holidays and to partner with local organizations in the months ahead.