Gil Gilson, left, Phillip Sweatt and Tim Evanoff helped prep for the 49th Christmas dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Butler, Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020. In preparation to serve 700 meals, volunteers cooked 68 turkeys, peeled 190 lbs. of potatoes and 100 lbs. of carrots.

Cooked turkeys: 68. Diced potatoes: 150 pounds. Fresh carrots: 80 pounds. Baked rolls: 700. Pies: 94. Homemade cookies: 2,100. Meals served: 568.

The 49th year of the First United Methodist Church Christmas Dinner may not have looked as it did in years past, but it still served hundreds of city residents Christmas Day.

“The serving end actually went pretty smooth,” said Ray Christy, whose family has led the dinner the past four years. “We could pre-package a lot, and we had room for social distancing.”

Historically, Christy said the church's Christmas meal seats about 125 people in the First United Methodist Church hall along East North Street, with takeout and delivery options for those who can't stay.

Because of pandemic procedures, the church this year limited serving to takeout and delivery.About 60 volunteers assisted with food preparation, meal packaging, distribution and cleanup Christmas week.“We started Monday doing the turkeys,” Christy said Saturday. “We've been cooking almost all (week).”Meals were served from 10 a.m. to noon Friday. Volunteers made deliveries to those who weren't able to stop by the church for a meal.Christy said delivery changes were some of the hardest to handle this year.Instead of visiting individual residents in senior living facilities, safety concerns meant deliveries needed to be made in bulk to facility operators.Missing that one-on-one contact was difficult, according to Christy. He said conversation is a big part of the Christmas Day dinner.“I think it's probably as important as the meal itself,” Christy said.

Those who received meals this year also received gifts, like bags of hot chocolate and tea.Christy said these came from the generosity of others. People in past weeks made many donations to the church to help pull the meal together.“People have just been really gracious,” Christy said. “It's pretty neat to see it unfold.”Food for the meal came from donations made by the congregation, individuals and local organizations, Christy said, as well as resources made available through government agencies.This allowed the church to serve meals free.

Serving citizens on Christmas — even during a pandemic year — was an important thing to do, according to Christy.“You just give them a little bit of hope,” Christy said.Christy said the church is still having five services a weekend, though they're online for the time being.As an organizer for this year's Christmas meal, Christy said he's seen many people eager to volunteer. He believes the pandemic has shown many people how much they can help.

“It kind of relights your volunteers,” Christy said. “I think as a whole, the church is still marching forward.”Christy recognizes the pandemic is out of anyone's control.Though it's too early to know what next Christmas will bring, he's hopeful the church will once again welcome visitors inside for dinner.No matter what lies ahead, Christy has the same message.“Heads up. Keep moving forward,” Christy said. “God's got a plan.”

Phillip Sweatt of Butler, helped prep for the 49th Christmas dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Butler, Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020. In preparation to serve 700 meals, volunteers cooked 68 turkeys, peeled 190 lbs. of potatoes and 100 lbs. of carrots.

From left, David Leslie, Nichole Diggs, Chance Christy and Mike Powers worked together packing cole slaw for the 49th Christmas dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Butler Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020. In preparation to serve 700 meals, volunteers also cooked 68 turkeys, peeled 190 lbs. of potatoes and 100 lbs. of carrots.

Gil Gilson of Portersville, helped prep for the 49th Christmas dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Butler, Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020. In preparation to serve 700 meals, volunteers cooked 68 turkeys, peeled 190 lbs. of potatoes and 100 lbs. of carrots.

Gil Gilson of Portersville, helped prep for the 49th Christmas dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Butler, Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020. In preparation to serve 700 meals, volunteers cooked 68 turkeys, peeled 190 lbs. of potatoes and 100 lbs. of carrots.