People looking to feel less lonely for the holidays or unable to cook a meal were able to have a family-style Christmas dinner at Bethel United Methodist Church on Friday afternoon.

The Lower Burrell Compassion Network hosted a free Christmas Eve dinner at the church, serving about 30 families that signed up for the occasion. Plates were filled with rolls, ham, turkey, green beans, ham and a choice of desserts.

This was the first time the dinner was held at Bethel United Methodist.

Two dozen volunteers from eight local churches came to help prep food, serve plates and clean up afterward.

“It’s God’s work. We don’t do it for us. We do it for them,” said Mark Resetar, director of the Lower Burrell Compassion Network.

Resetar said the organization has fed up to 100 families in the past for Christmas dinners. For their Thanksgiving dinners, the church has served more than 600 families.

Resetar said covid restrictions prevented dinners from happening the last couple years. This year’s Christmas Eve dinner was a restart for them. The dinners have been previously held at Arnold Methodist Church.

Rich Johnson, a volunteer and Compassion Network member, has helped out with dinners on and off for 30 years. He enjoys being able to serve and help others feel a sense of company.

“We have learned from this that a lot people who come here feel alone for the holidays,” he said.

Plenty of seats were filled as families trickled in to enjoy a hearty meal. Christmas music played softly in the background as tables were covered with cloths that color coordinated with the holiday’s signature red, green and white colors.

Emily and Wendy Rankin of Natrona Heights, Harrison attended the dinner for the first time. Emily Rankin was looking forward to eating ham, her favorite Christmas food.

“Everything looks good, and I am excited to eat,” she said.

Wendy Rankin said their extended family live in different states so she thought they would have dinner at the church after hearing about it on Facebook. She knew Mark Resetar from going to church with him in the past.

Laura Miller was visiting Lower Burrell to enjoy dinner with her brother, brother-in-law and a friend. Miller said this was their second time attending a free dinner with the Lower Burrell Compassion Network. Her family wanted to give their caretaker a break for the holiday.

Miller said her experience at the dinners has been amazing.

“They have such spirit and welcome everyone,” she said. “It’s a real sense of community.”

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