Submitted Photo
Volunteers pack meals to deliver as part of the Upshur Parish House and Chapel Hill UMC’s annual free Christmas Day Dinner.
BUCKHANNON — Around 300 to 400 people are expected to be served during the Upshur Parish House and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church (UMC)’s annual free Christmas Day dinner.
“We recognize that a lot of what we do at the Parish House is kind of a needs-based outreach, but we also recognise that things like the holidays, Christmas especially, (is) really a time for joy, but we know that that can be a time that people really feel alone” Upshur Parish House Executive Director Isaac Casto told The Inter-Mountain. “So we do this as a way to kind of connect community members at times when they may be feeling more isolated… Everybody is welcome to participate in this sort of meal.”
The the free Christmas Day Dinner is set for Thursday, Dec. 25 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The dinner will be held at Chapel Hill UMC’s location at 88 South Kanawha Street in Buckhannon.
The meals will be available for carryout or home delivery. Those interested in receiving delivery should call 681-837-2649 by Dec. 23.
Casto said the amount of community members served at the dinner fluctuates yearly, however, they expect to serve 300 to 400 people this year based on the number those served regularly at the Parish House.
For those interested in helping with the dinner, Casto said there are a couple ways to do so. Volunteers will be needed to help prepare meals on Dec. 22 at 9 a.m., as well as for packaging and delivery of meals on Christmas Day. Individuals interested in volunteering may call 681-837-2649 for details.
The Upshur Parish House is also accepting donations of candy canes and cookies for the dinner. Donations can be dropped off at the Parish House at 68 College Avenue. All food donations must be dropped off by Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.
“We’re happy to be the point of contact and the lead sponsors for (the dinner), but it really is a community driven event, which we think is really cool,” Casto said. “Not everything, necessarily, has to originate here at the Parish House. We’re always happy when the community steps forward with solutions and options for our neighbors, and we’re just happy to support where we can.”
Any monetary donations can be designated either for the Christmas Day Dinner, or for other Parish House programs or general operations.
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Dining and Cooking