Local churches and organizations will once again help to ease the burdens of those who are struggling and in need this holiday season.
St. John's United Methodist Church, 3001 East Lincoln Highway, will hold its annual Christmas day lunch for local families, travelers and anyone wishing to share a traditional meal in good company.
Organizers Ed and Pat Strubel have been coordinating the event for the past five years.
"We do it to help people and we are looking forward to it," Ed Strubel said.
The Strubels don't know how many people to expect this year but they are ready to receive anyone who stops by the church.
"Usually we get about 50 people, but not all of them are locals" he said.
Last year, a family from New Jersey visiting Lancaster for the holidays joined them at the lunch.
"They drove past the church and saw the announcement for the Christmas lunch and decided to cancel their original plans," he said.
Pat Strubel said they get donations of turkeys, hams and the rest of the menu, which includes mashed potatoes, corn, green beans and carrots.
The lunch will be held Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. It is open to anyone and no reservations are required.
The church is handicapped-accessible. For information call the church office at 687-6711.
Other Christmas dinners to be held in the area this year include:
• The Vigilant Fire Hall, 265 S. 10th St., Columbia, is hosting its 22nd annual Christmas Day dinner from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to senior citizens.
• St. Anne Catholic Church, at Duke and Liberty streets, is sponsoring its 19th annual Christmas Day dinner for those who will spend Christmas alone or for those unable to afford a meal.
The meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Transportation is available in the Lancaster area by calling Phil Capp at 393-8962 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. before Dec. 22.
Attendees may enter from the parking lot area off of Duke Street. The dining facility is not wheelchair accessible.
• Water Street Rescue Mission, 210 S. Prince St., will serve Christmas Day dinner from noon to 6 p.m. in the dining hall. The event is open to anyone and no meal tickets are required.
• Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 44 E. Orange St., Lititz, will host its Christmas Day lunch at noon. Reservations for the meal are required by today at noon.
For details and reservations, call the church at 626-2175.
• Brownstown-area churches will serve a free Christmas Day dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Earl Fire Company, 14 School Lane Ave., Brownstown.
For reservations, call Emmanuel United Methodist Church of Brownstown at 656-7575. Deliveries and takeouts are available.