Take the bus to ‘Don’t Spend Christmas Alone’ dinner

Guests are welcome to come and dine-in or have a meal delivered to their home at no cost during the 38th annual “Don’t Spend Christmas Alone” annual community outreach event hosted by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane, Prescott. (St. Luke’s Episcopal Church)

Guests are welcome to come and dine-in or have a meal delivered to their home at no cost during the 38th annual “Don’t Spend Christmas Alone” annual community outreach event hosted by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane, Prescott. (St. Luke’s Episcopal Church)

A local church has issued an invitation again this year — its 38th — to gather with others who may spend Christmas by themselves.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will host its annual “Don’t Spend Christmas Alone” community dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, at no charge.

Yavapai Regional Transit is providing free transportation to the church from various locations in Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Prescott.

Along with a homemade holiday meal, guests can enjoy Christmas carols and a visit from Santa.

This past year, volunteers served more than 850 people. Guests included those without a home or family members, those new to the community, those looking for companionship on Christmas Day — anyone feeling alone or abandoned or without the means to produce a homemade meal.

Because the dinner is offered free, the event planners rely heavily on volunteers and donations. Volunteers must be 13 and older. They will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests take with them a bag of cookies as they head home, along with a warm handshake and a smile, reassured that on Christmas Day, they are not alone.

The event began with dinner prepared and served to 200 people in 1980 in the church’s former basement, and has since grown into an annual tradition. Parish members, first responders from police and fire departments, and local residents also deliver meals to homebound individuals in the Quad Cities communities.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is one block north of the airport entrance at the corner of Highway 89 and Ruger Road, 2000 Shepherds Lane, in Prescott.

For more information on the event, call 928-778-4499 during regular business hours.

Follow Sue Tone on Twitter @ToneNotes. Reach her at stone@prescottaz.com or 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.

Free transportation offered

Free transportation to “Don’t Spend Christmas Alone” dinner provided by Yavapai Regional Transit.

Chino Valley

Leaving St. Catherine Church, 2062 Highway 89, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:35 p.m.

Leaving Safeway parking lot, 1031 N. Highway 89, at 10:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., and 12:25 p.m.

Leaving American Legion, 650 E. Road 3 South, at 10:50 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 12:15 p.m.

Prescott Valley

Leaving CASA Adult Center, 9360 E. Manzanita Circle, at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.

Leaving Safeway parking lot, 7720 E. Highway 69, at 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1:20 p.m.

Prescott

Leaving Sprouts parking lot, south corner of Sheldon and Montezuma, every half hour between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Leaving Prescott United Methodist Church parking lot, 505 W. Gurley, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Leaving Coalition for Compassion & Justice parking lot, corner of Miller Valley and West Madison, at 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:45 p.m.


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