News : Vinton Presbyterian Church to offer Free Christmas dinner

It has become a labor of love. Started as a "what if"� question three years ago, the Presbyterian Church of Vinton began serving dinner on Christmas Day as a way to serve others in their community. "We asked ourselves the question: what if we could help people on Christmas day by giving them some place to go?"� said Rev. Jessica Crane Munoz, pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Vinton. "We knew that there were a lot of people in our church, and in the community, that were spending Christmas day alone."� The dinner has quickly turned into a tradition. Now, members and families build it in to their plans for the holidays. Volunteers are returning to help for a second, and third, year. And the numbers of those being reached is growing. The first year the dinner served approximately 120 people, including shut-is and volunteers. Last year the dinner served around 200, and this year there is an expectation of even more growth. "We have two target groups,"� said Crane Munoz. "Those who are alone, and those who don't have the means to provide a nice Christmas dinner for themselves and their families."� Dinner volunteers make efforts to ensure that the dinner feels like a nice Christmas meal. The tables are decorated with colorful napkins, Christmas candy, and ribbons. There are greeters at the doors. And just like at a typical family Christmas dinner, there's usually a child or two running around. The dinner is set up so that each person who enters the doors has an opportunity to visit with a volunteer or other participants in order that they have some social contact and good conversation on Christmas, in addition to the meal that's served. Meals are delivered to singles and couples who cannot get out of their homes. Delivery volunteers take a few minutes at each stop to wish people a "Merry Christmas"� and to ask about their holiday before moving on to the next place. The delivery volunteers also check in with local dispatch and offer meals to law enforcement officers who are working on Christmas day. When asked why she volunteers to deliver meals, church secretary Mary Sheeley said, "The feeling you get doing something for someone else and the look on people's faces when you deliver the meals is great. People sometimes wait outside for their home-baked meal and they really need it, and they are really excited about getting it. That makes you feel good."� Sheeley has delivered meals for the past two years with her family on Christmas day. Her family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve day so delivering meals doesn't interfere with her family's holiday plays. "Why wouldn't you? Compared to sitting at home, this is wonderful. It's an opportunity, a present to myself, to be able to do this. I think it helps me to grow and be a better person."� The free Christmas dinner on December 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The event will be open to the public following Christmas morning service. Volunteers will be preparing the entire menu, which will include ham, stuffing, yams, potatoes & gravy and other holiday favorites, along with desserts. Reservations are available - but not necessary - and delivery service is available for shut-ins. Please call the church office at 319-472-3766 for more information.