Events and Activities : Presbyterian Church to provide Christmas Dinner

The Presbyterian Church of Vinton, 608 1st Avenue, \will be providing a free Christmas Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 25 from 12:00 p.m. - to 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be open to the public. There are many people who are alone on Christmas Day, and in the spirit of Christian love, the church will be providing a home-style meal for them.

The plan was originally hatched by Pastor Jessica Crane-Munoz.

"I approached the session (governing board) with the idea of a Christmas dinner and several members said they had also been thinking of something along these lines,” she said. “We see it as a way in which we can bless our community by offering a place for people to go who would normally be alone on Christmas day or without the means to prepare a meal for themselves."

In addition, the church will offer meals to be delivered to shut-ins who call the Chruch and request them.

"We will be delivering meals this year for shut-ins. That is, for people who are not physically able to come to the church for the meal. But anyone who is physically able, we are encouraging them to come to the church and eat with others. We are not doing to-go orders for the same reason; we see this as a way for people to spend a Christmas meal with others instead of at home alone."

Food committee head Pauline Elwick said the entire Church is looking forward to the event.

"We are happy to do the Christmas Dinner because our church family is so excited to help others in our community. So many have stepped up to help because they wanted to be part of this mission."

"Not only will this Community Christmas Dinner help others, but it brings our church family even closer as we work together."

Crane-Munoz added that help from volunteers is welcome from throughout the community.

"Volunteers are welcome, including those who are not members of our congregation. Our hope is that people in our community who are alone on Christmas day might come and volunteer so that they, too, might spend Christmas with others."

For more information, call the church office at 319-472-3766.