More than 1,000 gather for annual Christmas meal at Portland Art Museum

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – More than one thousand people sat down for a Christmas meal Thursday morning at Potluck in the Park’s annual holiday dinner held at the Portland Art Museum.

Portland’s biggest and longest-running Christmas meal brought a community together for the holidays. Every Christmas morning for 31 years, Potluck in the Park has welcomed anyone and everyone in need of a holiday meal.

“It’s our family tradition. We wouldn’t miss it,” said Bethany Dozier, Potluck in the Park volunteer coordinator.

At the Portland Art Museum, dozens of volunteers cooked a classic Christmas feast for at least 1,200 guests who enjoy the company just as much as the meal.

“It is heavenly it is just so unbelievably beautiful, so many people from different backgrounds can come together and then just enjoy the love of Christmas,” one guest said.

Guests praised the quality of the food, with one attendee calling it the “best turkey ever.”

“It’s really wonderful. It’s very beautiful beautifully decorated. Everyone is so friendly. It feels like I’m with family,” said another guest, Patricia.

A sense of family is what brought volunteer coordinator Bethany Dozier back for her 13th year with the event.

“Everybody’s always so grateful and happy, it’s so heartwarming,” Dozier said. “People should have access to food…I can’t even put it into words.”

Potluck in the Park also gives out hot meals every Sunday in the Park Blocks.