Open For Lunch!

By Melinda L. Lucas

Over a dozen volunteers gathered on Christmas Day to prepare about 100 lunches for local residents during the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church’s 11th annual Christmas Feast.

Several Christmas meals were served to local residents who came to the church’s fellowship hall, but most were boxed and delivered by church members to the people on the Vittles by Vehicle list.

Take-out plates were provided for other members of the community who called in requests.

Again this year, first responders at the sheriff’s office and the EMS were included in the delivery route.

“We have come to realize that some people still have to work on Christmas Day, so we wanted to make sure they had a Christmas meal too,” organizer Tamara Trail said. “Serving our shut-ins and those whose caretakers may be off for the holiday is important, but we also wanted to make sure those people working to help protect us or provide services were remembered as well.”

Trail had to leave early because of a family commitment, and she commended other MMPC members for taking up the slack.

“James Breeden has been a major contributor to this program for several years, and he stepped up to be our team leader this year,” said Trail.

Breeden stated that the entire event went well, and he is already looking forward to next year.

“This project always fills my heart,” he said. “It just makes Christmas memorable for my family to be able to help with this. We got to spend time visiting with the folks we delivered to, and for some of them, we were probably the only people they saw on Christmas Day.”

Audrey Peterson, another volunteer, said that 95 meals were prepared, not including the servers.

“Our boys are at a great age to serve, and we love being a part of this ministry,” said Peterson. “The Lord desires us to love others as we celebrate the day of His birth, It’s such a sweet reminder to all of us that keeps the focus off ourselves.”

She said that about 50 boxes, were delivered, and the rest were either picked up or served at the church. 

Lori Reames, who serves with the Closet Angels ministry, picked up the leftover food and took it to several local families.

“The food made for some very happy kids,” she told committee members. “Most of it went to one particular family with kids who probably don’t get to eat like that ever! Thanks for allowing us to bless families every Christmas.”

Trail said that the Christmas Feast, which has become a tradition for the MMPC family, is definitely not just for shut-ins and those who are working on the holiday.

“We had a sweet mix of people who really enjoyed the fellowship,” said Trail. “For some of them, it was their off-year for family gatherings, and others just wanted some company on Christmas Day. This is such a special ministry that gives back more to the ones volunteering than the ones receiving.”

George Harvick provided and cooked the beef tenderloin, and Treca Edington donated horseradish sauce and gravy.

Other MMPC members prepared turkey, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, rolls, and dessert.