Family Feast returns to in-person dining
Salvation Army’s Christmas tradition back to normal
For two years, Robert Boyd was Santa with a face shield. Oh, he still waved to kids and families in passing cars, still brought a little joy on Christmas Day to those in need as they lined up for carryout meals. ● But it just wasn’t the same. The pandemic sort of knocked the stuffing out of one of Milwaukee’s signature events. ● On Sunday, though, there was something wonderful at the 33rd Salvation Army Christmas Family Feast. This wasn’t a carryout for 5,000.
Milwaukee was back together again with food and fellowship at the Wisconsin Center.
“This experience is more personal,” Boyd said. He was all dressed up as Santa as young children gathered around him, smiling and hugging.
“Everyone was waiting for this moment,” Boyd said. “Christmas is about being with loved ones. Christmas is about being in person.”
There was food and music and laughter. A large Wisconsin ballroom was transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with trees and lights, red and white tablecloths and poinsettia centerpieces. A disc jockey played music.
And meals were shared.
“It’s not exclusive,” said Crystal Griffin, a volunteer who worked alongside her daughter Christa. “No one eats alone on Christmas.”
The mother and daughter were dressed for the occasion, Crystal wearing an elf hat while Christa sported holiday antlers.
The Griffins have been volunteering at the event for years. Christa, who now lives in Texas, wouldn’t dream of missing time with her mother. They even worked the carryout lines for two years.
“Wonderful, wonderful. To see the smiles on people’s faces, to see the kids so happy. This is a day for the children.”
Anthony Edwards, who enjoyed his Christmas meal with his girlfriend and son
“You can be more personable when it’s like this,” Christa said. “People can get the dining experience.”
A crew of volunteers made it all go, serving Christmas meals. So did a kitchen staff headed by Bernie Trivalos.
“Six thousand meals,” Trivalos said.
This was Christmas cooking on a huge scale: 1,200 pounds of turkey, 1,100 pounds of ham, 1,500 pounds of stuffing, 1,800 pounds of mashed potatoes, 1,800 pounds of yams and 900 pounds of green beans.
Just try deboning 380 turkeys and you begin to realize the scope of the event and the skill of the culinary staff that included Brian Preising, Christopher Pulling and Bill Delp, along with scores of volunteers.
Trivalos had overseen preparations for a little more than a week.
“I’m going to go home and sleep for two days,” he said. “We’ll have Christmas Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Major Steve Woodard of the Salvation Army called the return to in-person dining “amazing.” The organization adapted during the pandemic, making sure to fill a need even in a time of crisis.
“To break bread together, laugh and tell stories, it’s wonderful to see that,” Woodard said.
Anthony Edwards was enjoying his Christmas meal with his girlfriend and son.
“Wonderful, wonderful,” he said of the occasion. “To see the smiles on people’s faces, to see the kids so happy. This is a day for the children.”
For Shannone Brown, this was her first Family Feast. She was eating a sumptuous lunch with her child and four of her nieces and nephews.
“I like the friendly people,” she said. “The music. The decorations. And I like the green beans.”
It was perfect.