Offering a meal and a sense of community for over a decade

Ensuring No One is Alone on Christmas Day

  • Leo Channel and Terry Scheel served up mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, dressing and all the trimmings of a beautiful Christmas meal.    
    Leo Channel and Terry Scheel served up mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, dressing and all the trimmings of a beautiful Christmas meal.    
  • Nantie Bothma, Riann Jansen Van Murren and Dennis Scheel were among the 30 volunteers who helped serve 80 attendees at the “Home Alone” Christmas meal. CENTER: The Hope Fellowship Hall was the venue for this year’s Christmas dinner.
    Nantie Bothma, Riann Jansen Van Murren and Dennis Scheel were among the 30 volunteers who helped serve 80 attendees at the “Home Alone” Christmas meal. CENTER: The Hope Fellowship Hall was the venue for this year’s Christmas dinner.
  • Katelin Deneke, sitting at the table to the right told event organizers that her reason for coming was the two empty places at the table this year — those of her dad and grandpa. She thanked the organizers for doing this for her grandma, with whom Katelin attended.
    Katelin Deneke, sitting at the table to the right told event organizers that her reason for coming was the two empty places at the table this year — those of her dad and grandpa. She thanked the organizers for doing this for her grandma, with whom Katelin attended.

    Eighty attendees and 30 volunteers joined together for dinner on Christmas Day for the annual “Alone for Christmas” event. Held at the Hope Fellowship this year, the 2022 Christmas Day dinner marked the 13th anniversary of the event, hosted by community members and Pastor Don and April Grubb.

    “This event is not about us, our churches, fundraising, nor promotion of any entity or group,” the Grubbs explained. “This event is about coming together as a community to celebrate the birth of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.”

    Seventy-five is about the average count for the free Christmas dinner, according to the Grubbs, who explained that they have had as many as 100 and as low as 38 guests due to a winter blizzard one year.

    “Pastor Stan, former UMC pastor, encouraged us many years ago to set an extra plate at our table for those we knew would be alone on Christmas Day. These and other factors were the catalyst for the ‘Alone for Christmas’ dinner,” April explained. “We are not able to carry off this event by ourselves. Pastor Don makes the decision each year and sets the ball rolling, enlisting help from the community. The menu is set, event site determined and contact begins with merchants and servants that step up to the plate volunteering time and services.”

    April explained that a personal loss experienced by Pastor Don was the motivating force to continue organizing the event for those experiencing feelings of loss, isolation or loneliness during the Christmas season. The event, held on Christmas Day, offers a meal and sense of community for those choosing to participate.

    “Many years have passed and the WS community has stepped up to the plate offering time, talents and resources to see that the event continues to offer a sense of belonging and fellowship on Christmas Day,” April shared. “We could not pull this off on our own and we thank God for His provision as we reach out to our friends and families who are seeking the comfort of this event.

    Over the years, attendees shared what the event means to them with the Grubbs: “I am alone and I am not able to be with my family today. Here, I am surrounded by friends and enjoy a holiday meal and fellowship with others.”

    “I am 94 years old and have cooked Christmas dinner for decades. Today, I join many friends around the table and all I have to do is get here and enjoy the day.”

    “We enjoy the sense of community and good food with friends and neighbors.”

    “I like being involved with this community event, meeting friends, neighbors and enjoying a delicious holiday meal w/all the fixins.”

    PHOTOS COURTESY AUTUMN HOFER

     

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