Hundreds were expected to chow down at the sixth annual North End Family Centre Community BBQ in Winnipeg Saturday.

A bouncy castle, face painting and other family-oriented fun and food was on hand at the event, which took place at Champlain School on Church Avenue.

Kyle Mason, the centre's executive director, said the barbecue is a great chance for kids to come together and have a good time.

"We love doing this event every year," Mason said. "It's great to see a bunch of smiling kids come out, have fun. They come out with their parents; it's good to have families come out, get to know each other, build community."

Mason said the event gives people in the neighbourhood an opportunity to be part of something positive.

"Sometimes there are some negative aspects to our neighbourhood. We're aware of that, so we think it's important to do good and positive things to offset some of the negative things, because sometimes the North End does get a negative rap," he said.

"There are some challenges in this neighbourhood, but this neighbourhood really is filled with thousands upon thousands of good people ... [who] care about their families, their well-being, just like everybody else."

Mason said the event has been growing in size every year.

"I think it grows because as we build more and more of a reputation and more relationships with people in the neighbourhood, more people hear about us, " said Mason, adding the event also symbolizes all of the work the centre does year round.

"We work every single day throughout the year, building community, helping families get out of poverty and stay out of poverty, and this is just another way for us to just to get to know our friends ... our neighbours."

Last year, they served more than 700 people food; this year Mason expected just as many if not more neighbours would attend. The barbecue ended at 2 p.m.