The Salem Presbyterian Church will continue its tradition of offering a free noon-time Christmas meal and fellowship to anyone who wishes to join them.
Amy Telford who helps coordinate the yearly program says the event started 44 years ago and is open to singles, couples, even small families, or ’empty nesters’.
The dinner purpose is a fellowship dinner to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and we invite anyone who would otherwise be alone on Christmas so they can come and have a wonderful dinner with other people, sing Christmas songs, and have a really good time.”
Telford says volunteers will gather Christmas morning to put together the traditional feast.
“We start at about eight in the morning heating everything up, cooking some of the dishes. We have turkey, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, and lots of salads, side dishes, and desserts. We usually do mulled cider before dinner.”
Telford says for those who know they want to come to the dinner, they are encouraged to call the church office from nine to noon on Thursday. But if your situation changes at the last minute, you are invited to just show up at the church at 201 East McMackin on Christmas Day as no one will be turned away.
Transportation will be available to those who have no way to get to the church. You may also call the church office for transportation. There will be no carry-outs as it would defeat the purpose of fellowship and no one being alone on Christmas.
