JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Those who are alone or in need can find free Christmas dinners in the Jackson County area.
Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Jackson is hosting its 26th-annual Community-Wide Christmas Dinner at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, at the parish Social Center, 811 S. Wisner St. Doors open at 1:15 p.m.
The longstanding dinner benefits those who are either alone on Christmas or cannot provide a full meal for their family.
The dinner is free to all, but reservations are required by Friday, Dec. 20. People can make reservations by calling 517-474-9621 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
More information can be found on the church website.
Trinity Health Chelsea Hospital also is offering a free Christmas meal for those in need. The annual event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Christmas Day in the Chelsea Hospital Dining Room, 775 S. Main St.
Registration is required and can be made by calling 734-475-9242 by Monday, Dec. 16.
While not a full meal, the Jackson Police Department will hand out free hams for families. The second-annual event is 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 128 W. Ganson St.
Officers will hand out 400 hams, donated by Garcia Laboratory. No prior sign up is needed and the hams are free, while supplies last, city officials said.
Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and enter the fairgrounds using the N. Blackstone Street entrance. One ham will be given to each vehicle, and drivers will exit the fairgrounds using the W. Ganson Street exit.
This event is being organized through the police department’s Group Violence Intervention Strategy. GVI has local law enforcement and the community working together on solutions to reduce gun violence in Jackson, officials said.
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