McALESTER —
Those planning the next Community Christmas Dinner say they’ll face a double challenge this year — more people expected to take part in the dinner due to the economy, while facing the loss of one of the dinner’s big contributors.
Because of those twin factors, volunteers working with 36th Annual Community Christmas Dinner say they will need more help in the form of contributions to make this year’s dinner a success.
One of the reasons more help is needed this year is the winding down and pending liquidation of Hostess Brands, Inc., which includes Wonder Bread. Volunteers said the Wonder Hostess Bakery in McAlester had helped in a big with the Community Christmas Dinner over the past few years by donating food items.
“We got a lot of rolls and dessert pastries from them that saved on our need to purchase,” said one of the volunteers helping plan the dinner, who continued the tradition of remaining anonymous.
“Now, with them going out of business, we’re going to have to find alternate sources,” the volunteer said during a planning meeting held Monday. “We will likely have to purchase more.”
Anyone wanting to help can send a donation to Community Christmas Dinner; P.O. Box 759; McAlester OK; 74502. Checks can be made payable to Community Christmas Dinner.
The dinner is open to anyone living inside the city limits of McAlester and Krebs who wants to participate. As in years past, no age or income guidelines are in place, volunteers said.
To help volunteers in planning the dinner, anyone living in McAlester and Krebs who would like to participate is asked to go ahead and phone in a reservation.
The number to phone this year is 918-421-2920. A cut-off time of 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve has been set for those phoning in reservations to participate in the holiday dinner.
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