Annual Holte Christmas Dinner expected to serve hundreds on
Christmas Day
Nearly 500 people are expected to attend the Marley Holte
Holiday Dinner on Christmas Day, an annual community feast designed
to foster togetherness.
Annual Holte Christmas Dinner expected to serve hundreds on Christmas Day
Nearly 500 people are expected to attend the Marley Holte Holiday Dinner on Christmas Day, an annual community feast designed to foster togetherness.
“I’ve had people come up to me after the dinner and say, ‘Thank you, this is our family get-together,'” said organizer Larry Brown, who is helping continue the tradition begun in the mid-80s by Marley Holte.
Holte, an educator, Realtor and politician who died in 2006, decided along with his wife to pool their holiday money one season and feed the needy instead of buying gifts for themselves.
From that idea sprung The Marley Holte Community Assistance Program, which began by providing meals around Christmas time and has since expanded to offer a Thanksgiving meal.
“Last year we served over 500 people,” and a similar amount is expected at Sacred Heart School’s O’Reilly Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 25. “We get individuals, families, a lot of people who come right over after church to have Christmas dinner.”
While holiday meals offer a free, hearty meal for the needy, they are open to everyone in the community – regardless of their financial situation.
“It’s for everybody,” Brown said.
Volunteers are still needed for the Christmas dinner, including the set-up of the hall at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
“We also need people’s help on Christmas Day, serving or prepping food or helping with cleanup,” Brown said. “Some volunteers have helped for a number of years, including some from Day 1.”
Anyone age 14 and up can volunteer, said Brown, noting that some high school students give their time as a community service project, while some families have made helping out at the dinner a part of their holiday tradition. The event is funded entirely by donations.
Santa Claus will be making an appearance at the dinner and Christmas music will be playing as guest enjoy a turkey and tri tip meal with all the fixings.
For more information or to volunteer to help before, during or after the dinner, call Larry Brown at 637-9037.
