Shelby church serves annual Christmas dinner

SHELBY ? The clatter of utensils and the smell of Christmas dinner filled a Shelby church.

Inside, volunteers wearing red and white Santa caps scurried around tables and filled plates with piping hot food.?

Central United Methodist Church in Uptown Shelby has served a Christmas meal for the community?s hungry since 2007. This year, the volunteers nearly outnumbered the people they served.

?Most of the (volunteers) who are here today have been here before,? said Barbara Schafer, a Central United Methodist Church member.

Schafer said the expected to serve about 50 people Sunday at the church. Nearly 40 people volunteered their time on Christmas Day to serve the annual holiday meal. Many others helped by cooking and preparing food for the meal several days in advance.

People who ate during the Christmas meal also received a bag of toiletries and other necessities. Children received special gifts, too, Schafer said.

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Food prepared

-Five spiral hams

-Eight large-size containers of macaroni and cheese

-About eight green bean casseroles

-Rolls

-Numerous desserts including pies and cakes

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What do you like about volunteering?

?We started doing this a couple years ago. It?s a family thing.?

-Christian Mabry, Shelby

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?It?s Christmas, and God?s love needs to be shared with those less fortunate.?

-Bob Yelton, Shelby

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?I love doing this. I just like helping people.?

-Virginia Lloyd, Shelby

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Reach reporter Jordan-Ashley Baker at 704-669-3332.?

Source: http://www.shelbystar.com/news/shelby-60906-serves-annual.html

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