Christmas meals are given out by fire department
Volunteers help deliver 250 packages in annual donation event.
The German Twp. Fire Department and volunteers delivered about 250 meals on Christmas morning to those in need or homebound.
The annual event is what Christmas should be all about, said German Twp. Fire Department special events coordinator Jennifer Holman.
“I truly believe this is part of the Christmas spirit and really the true Christmas spirit,” Holman said. “It’s a beautiful thing, because people are giving back and creating the unity that is inspired by Christmas.”
Volunteers began arriving at the German Twp. Fire Department at about 8 a.m. and volunteered until well after noon.
Firefighters prepared the meals and bagged them as volunteers were sent off to homes to deliver.
Meal bags include a full hot meal of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, green beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, rolls, some fruit, cookies and pies. Holman said the delivered bags also include some other grocery items like paper towels.
Everything in the bags is either donated or purchased with money donated to the fire department, Holman said.
“The township doesn’t pay for any of this,” Holman said.
Holman is the daughter of fire chief Tim Holman and the late Becky Holman. She said her mother began the tradition, and when she died, it became a legacy event for her.
It’s an event the community has always been willing to help out with, Holman said.
“It’s just our way to give back to the community and kind of help them out on Christmas,” Holman said. “It was my mom’s idea when she started this, she always thought no one should be alone on Christmas eating from a can. Everyone should have a good home-cooked meal and company. So our volunteers also wish them a merry Christmas and give them a little bit of fellowship.”
The event has grown every year, Holman said, from 30 meals begin delivered in 2009 to hundreds of them going out this year. However, this year saw a little bit of a decrease in meal delivery compared to 2018.
“Some other groups have started doing some community kitchen type things,” Holman said. “But we aren’t going to complain about less people needing meals.”
Those interested in volunteering next year can email the fire department at GTFDchristmasdinners@ gmail.com.