Christmas Dinner at the Farmersburg Lutheran Church in Iowa

When Farmersburg community came together to share Christmas dinner there was not just food on the plate, there is love too.

Pastor Hanson Bruce of St John Lutheran Church, Farmersburg, Iowa, served about 50 people, Christmas Day, who otherwise may not have eaten a traditional meal.

Nothing was missing from the full dinner of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet corn, salad, cranberry sauce, rolls and pie with ice cream, sweets and coffee.

"The rule is when we are all done there is to be no food left," said Bruce chuckling.

He then explained the meaning of 'Boxing Day,' as an English holiday, celebrated the day after Christmas. With his intention being to get everyone to take home a box of food he repeated a tale he had been told that Boxing Day was celebrated because historically it had meant the servants were given the left over food in a box the day after Christmas.

Grace was said and the feasting began. There were many elderly present, also some young couples with small children and a hand full of single people.

The meal was prepared by Bruce, Barb and Gilbert Brainard of Brainard's Country Change Restaurant, Hwy 52, and Hannah Salan with the assistance of volunteers.
Bruce's wife, Connie, could not attend as she is ill and awaiting a kidney transplant.

Their daughter, Angela, is in Illinois with her husband and two children. The Bruce's son, Aamin is in Quad Cities.

The church not only served those that arrived on the day, it also sent out meals to people in the community who couldn't make it.

"We sent out about 15 meals to old people and the police department," Bruce explained.

He has been serving Christmas dinner in the community for 14 years. "It began when an old couple showed up at my door that had no place to go on Christmas night," he said.

A lot of the food was donations and some businesses gave money.

Featured are Gilbert and Barbara Brainard, Pastor Hanson Bruce and Hannah Salan.

Credit: Isabel Stewart

Copyright: Isabel Stewart