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Continuing the Albemarle Christmas Day tradition, six downtown Albemarle churches provided meals for 500 people in the community.

“The comments received from just about every car via the drive-through were heartwarming, appreciative and very complimentary,” volunteer Bob Sweet said.

Bob’s wife Olivia added, “Even in this year of Covid-19 the churches committed to sharing Christ’s love by sharing meals to anyone who came
through.”

First Baptist Church was tasked with hosting the 31st Annual Community Christmas Dinner. Due to Covid-19 issues, this year was a little different from past years. For 2020, the drive-through only meal was provided by Golden Corral and consisted of turkey, dressing, creamed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry salad and roll. Shawn and Laura Oke, owners of Albemarle Sweet Shop, donated cookies, cakes and pies so that every meal enjoyed a great dessert.

After organizing and packing the meals, volunteers carried 66 meals to public service workers (Albemarle Police, Albemarle Fire, Stanly Sheriff’s Office, Stanly EMS and 911 Center). A few additional meals were delivered to Meals on Wheels participants as requested. The remaining 400-plus meals were handed out via drive-through and carry out beginning at 11 a.m. and ending by 1:15 p.m.

Participating churches were Central United Methodist, Christ Episcopal, First Baptist, First Lutheran, First Presbyterian and Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic.