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 table cloths, 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.

 

Founder and organizer Ross Fox had served at the Hendersonville Christmas meal as a volunteer. While talking to some ladies who were volunteering there, he discovered that the reason they came was because they had no one with whom to spend Christmas Day.  Ross thought, “Why can’t we do this in Polk County?” So he set about to make it happen.

 

The Shepherd’s Feast is made possible through Ross’s efforts and the involvement of many in the community. Volunteers begin preparing the feast on Dec. 23rd so everything is ready to cook and serve Christmas Day. Donations of food come from Tryon IGA, Food Lion, French Broad Food Co-Op, The Brick, Flat Rock Village Bakery, Wildflour Bakery, The Meeting Place, McFarlans Bakery, and Mountain View BBQ. Holy Cross Episcopal Church provides the table settings and the Town of Tryon provides the sound system.  Phil and Gay Johnson will provide an hour of Christmas music.  This is indeed a ministry of many.

 

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. Make this your family tradition. For information on volunteering call Ross Fox at 828-859-9979.

 

–Submitted by Carlann Scherping