NILES — With the aim to provide fellowship and food to those who need it on the Christmas holiday, Wesley United Methodist Church will host a free Christmas dinner for the community starting at noon Monday, Dec. 25 at the church, 302 Cedar St. in Niles.

The dinner is organized by Nancy McCreedy, of Niles, who has helped to plan the event for more than 10 years. McCreedy inherited the duty from a longtime friend who needed someone to step up and carry on the tradition.

Those who attend the dinner can help themselves to freshly baked ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls and dessert. The food will be served family style and available at each table.

More than 80 people are anticipated to attend.

It is a tradition that has lasted so long, no one at Wesley United Methodist Church quite knows when it began, but McCreedy said it has lasted for at least 30 years.

The tradition started when a congregant could not see their out of state family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thinking that there might be others in a similar situation, the church member decided to host a dinner on Thanksgiving.

“It branched form there,” McCreedy said.

True to the tradition, McCreedy shows up at the church at 8:30 a.m. Christmas morning to start preparing the food, which is donated by church congregants.

McCreedy said she enjoys seeing people who might otherwise spend the holiday alone come together to have a meal. In the spirit of Christmas, McCreedy enjoys giving to others.

“Just seeing people happy with our meal and giving to the community and knowing that they really appreciate it [is what I get out of it],” McCreedy said.

Over the years, McCreedy has heard many people express thanks to her and volunteers.

“I had one lady a couple of years ago who she said she didn’t know what she would do without the meal,” McCreedy said.

In addition to serving others, McCreedy said she also enjoys seeing volunteers, who like herself have been committed to continuing the tradition. Some of the volunteers even come from outside the city limits to help.

“The volunteers have as much fun as those coming into eat,” McCreedy said.

Additionally, McCreedy said she enjoys seeing youth step up to help out, continuing the tradition among the younger generation.

While the church does not need further food donations at this time, she did encourage anyone looking to help out to volunteer. Those interested in volunteering can do so by contacting the church at (269) 683-7250.