The annual Shepherd’s Feast will once again be held at Polk County Middle School from 1 – 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.  This free Christmas dinner was founded by the late Ross Fox who wanted to be sure that no one would have to spend Christmas Day alone. This is not a soup kitchen or charity meal.  This feast is served family style on white table cloths and pretty china, and it is for everyone.  Invite your neighbors, your aunts and uncles, grandparents, and folks you meet on the street.  This is neighbors celebrating the birth of Christ by sharing fellowship and a meal with neighbors.

This Christmas tradition began 11 years ago when Ross Fox attended the Bounty of Bethlehem in Hendersonville and found that many of those who volunteered there did so because they had no one with whom to spend Christmas. Ross always said that he didn’t mind being alone any other time, but Christmas was different, and no one should be alone on Christmas Day.  So Ross thought, why can’t we do this in Polk County, and he set about to make it happen. 

Ten years ago, the first Shepherd’s Feast was held in Tryon. Then in 2010, the dinner was moved to Polk County Middle School.  Many of the volunteers have served every year and will tell you that Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the Shepherd’s Feast. 

Sadly, last year in late September, Ross Fox passed away.  Those who knew Ross and those who had grown to love the Shepherd’s Feast just couldn’t let this Christmas tradition come to an  end.  That is when Carlann and Dave Scherping decided to do whatever they could to assure that the Shepherd’s Feast would continue and that Ross’s hope that no one would spend Christmas alone would be fulfilled.   

The Shepherd’s Feast is truly a community effort involving many area businesses and restaurants.  Almost everything needed for the dinner is donated by these generous businesses: Giardini Trattoria, The Brick, IGA Tryon, Mountain View BBQ, Standing Stone Breads, Wildflour Bakery, The Meeting Place Senior Center, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Tryon Baptist Church, McKinzie Printing Co., Nature’s Storehouse, Huckleberry’s and Lavender Bistro.

For more information, contact Carlann or Dave Scherping at 828-894-3253.

– submitted by Carlann Scherping