For the 27th year, the annual Community Christmas Celebration Dinner will offer a free buffet dinner with all the trimmings to anybody who needs it.
The buffet dinner takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at Eighth Street and Central Avenue.
Volunteers will even deliver a meal to those who are unable to attend the dinner. St. Peter’s has access for the disabled and free parking.
“For the past 26 years, my family and our community have been running a free Christmas dinner buffet on Christmas Day,” Halley Martinez write on the Facebook event page for the dinner. “With the help and generosity of our community, St. Peters Church, and nearby towns we were are able to provide 700-1,000 meals every year. This dinner is open to anyone, young, old, rich, poor, those in need or in need of giving. Everyone is invited!”
Her parents, Mike and Peaches Lukens, started the event when they realized how blessed their young family was at Christmas time when others were in need.
But the event has thrived over the years only with the time and generosity of many in the community. Here’s how you can help:
- Share the event on Facebook.
- Donate Food. Cooked turkeys or hams of any size can be dropped off at St. Peters on Dec. 23 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Donate funds. Checks can be made out to “Christian Community Circle” and mailed to 300 Central Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226.
- Donate gifts. New or gently used clothing, toys, books or household items can be dropped off at St. Peters on Dec. 23.
- Volunteer. Help is needed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 23. Volunteers will assist with food preperation and setting up the dining room. Volunteers will also be needed on Christmas day to run deliveries, clean up, help in the kitchen, serve in the buffet line, and pack to-go dinners. Singers and piano players are also welcome to volunteer.
