Brighton Christmas dinner to return Dec. 23

BRIGHTON — Volunteers are planning to provide free takeout meals of ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans on Dec. 23 to anyone who shows up, all though registration is requested ahead of time.

The collaboration between area churches, Junk Yard Dogs food truck, and local nonprofit Tommy’s Helping Hands was a success last year, but most recipients chose to take their meals home rather than dining in, according to organizer Connie Blosser-Emry.

“People were sick, or had COVID, some had a funeral, some had different reasons that they didn’t want to cook and just took it home,” she said. “I don’t know about other communities, but for our community, (takeout meals) seemed to be the need.”

In another change from last year, the free meal giveaway is happening on Dec. 23, instead of Christmas Eve. Blosser-Emry said she didn’t want to interfere with Christmas Eve services, since the holiday will fall on a Sunday this year.

The meal giveaway will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JYD food trailer parked across the street from Brighton City Hall on Dec. 23. Reservations can be made in advance by calling 815-441-1512 or emailing tommyshelpinghands1@gmail.com.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com