An amazing thing happens on Christmas Day at Polk County Middle School. Dozens of volunteers gather to create a free Christmas meal for the community. The tables are set with white tablecloths, Christmas china, candles and greenery, and each table has a server who brings the feast out family-style as guests are seated. There are gifts for the children and live music. It’s a celebration of Christmas as young and old, families, people who are alone, those who have plenty and those who have little, all come together to share a meal and some conversation. They pass the turkey and the rolls, some bow their heads to give thanks, and best of all, they have not had to spend Christmas Day alone.

The Shepherd’s Feast is made possible through Ross Fox’s efforts and the involvement of many in the community. Volunteers begin preparing the feast on Dec. 23 so everything is ready to cook and serve Christmas Day. Mountain View BBQ smokes the turkeys, Giardini’s Restaurant donates potatoes and their coffee pots, the Brick donates the veggies, Wildflour Bakery donates bread, Polk County Middle School lends the space and Holy Cross Episcopal Church donates their beautiful Christmas china and flatware.

Volunteers are still needed for preparation on Dec. 23 and serving on Christmas Day. We are also in need of new, unwrapped gifts for children ages 3-12. The gifts can be delivered to Polk County Middle School on Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. – noon.  If you cannot deliver the gifts, call Ross Fox and he will arrange for them to be picked up.

Join your friends and neighbors at this year’s Shepherd’s Feast on Christmas Day from 1-4 p.m. at the Polk County Middle School cafeteria.

Volunteers are needed on Dec. 23 from 12 -2 p.m. and on Christmas day from noon to 4:30 p.m. For information on volunteering call Ross Fox at 828-859-9979.

-Article submitted by Carlann Scherping