PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -At the First Presbyterian Church in Parkersburg, the church held the 35th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Christmas Dinner.
The dinner was free for those able to attend with the church preparing and cooking all the food and desserts.
Reverend Annie McMillian, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church, said volunteers started early for preparation for the feast.
“It’s so wonderful to have,”McMillian said. “People got here to start preparing the meal at probably around 6:00 am. We had some people start preparing and people just kind of kept coming through. Many different churches with many different volunteers came out. This is part of their tradition as well to serving the community.”
To add on with the dinner, the church also was able to give away clothes and toys to the community for those who need them during the holiday season.
“We have a knitting group that knits things, and they meet at our church every month,” McMillian added. “They donate a lot of hats and scarves every year. We also take up collections each year, so this year we collected some warm socks and some gloves for people to be able to give those out.”
Volunteers at the dinner say it’s a nice thing for the church to have a dinner like this on Christmas Day.
“A lot of these people really count this as their meal for tonight,” said volunteer Ward Fish. “A lot of people have food scarcity and depend on the church for clothes, and we’re pretty lucky nice out right now, but you know couple weeks ago it was cold. They count on this.”
“It’s just being a good person,” added William Hopkins. “Just having good morals.”
McMillian adds that it’s important to give back to those who need it the most.
“There are so many people who don’t necessarily have family or who don’t necessarily have a place to go on Christmas Day.” This is really is a great way to serve our community, to share Christ and love.”
To learn more about the First Presbyterian Church, you can click here.
See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!
Copyright 2024 WTAP. All rights reserved.