'One of those things'

“(The dinner) is a good way to share the Christmas spirit of love and peace,” said Lee Grim, who has been involved with organizing the event since its beginning.

Grim said the dinner has gained a reputation of being a popular gathering place on the holiday.

“Last year, we served about 700 people,” he said. “We ran out of food.”

The organizer said when the first community Christmas dinner was served in 2006, a committee was established to nurture the success of the event. Now, however, Grim said people involved in the event no longer meet as a committee.

“We don’t have to,” he said. “Those people just continue to stay involved and make sure we are able to serve this meal to the community...It really says something about the community we live in.”

The commitment of those involved behind the scenes is only a fraction of what makes the event the go-to gathering spot on Christmas, Grim said.

“It isn’t just one person who makes this dinner what it is,” he said. “It’s everyone – the volunteers, the supporters, and those who come and eat. Everyone.”

Grim stressed circumstances do not designate who is eligible to attend the dinner. For those who celebrate Christmas only by attending the community meal, the event is as much about fellowship and togetherness as it is about the food.

Because the event is free, many donations are made and Grim said any money collected is donated to the Falls Hunger Coalition.

For people who would like to attend the meal, but have no means of transportation to the Roadhouse, Grim said rides will be provided to the dinner free of charge.

Those wishing to reserve a ride should call the Roadhouse at 286-5550 and provide a phone number, address and pick-up time.

“We don’t want people to miss out if they are unable to get themselves to the meal,” Grim said. “We’ll make sure they get there.”

And for the community members who are home bound, but would like a meal, Grim said take-out dinners will once again be organized by the Elks Lodge 1599.

“The Elks provides meals to Meals on Wheels customers and people who are unable to travel to the dinner,” Grim said. “Elks volunteers will have home deliveries organized so efficiently that they can get 180 meals out the door in an hour. It’s really incredible.”

The Christmas Day dinner is based entirely on volunteers, and Grim said people are still needed to help make it a success. Volunteers are needed to serve food, bus tables, greet people at the door, wash dishes, etc. Anyone interested can call the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 283-8606 or email the church at holytrinityif@midconetwork.com.

In addition, Grim said anyone who would like to make desserts for the meal can do so and bring them to the Roadhouse on the afternoon of Dec. 24 or in the morning Dec. 25. Grim said pies, cookies, bars and anything to fulfill a sweet tooth is welcome and appreciated.

“Nobody should think this dinner isn’t for them,” Grim said. “Our community is so important. When the community works together and pulls together, good things happen. This (dinner) is one of those things.”