The Knoxville First United Methodist Church will hold their annual free Christmas Day meal today

This is a church tradition that started over 40 years ago. Pastor Brent Hanna said it started with just a group of people from the church getting together to share a meal for those who didn’t have a place to go for the holiday. The ham and cheesy potato meal continues to grow and is open to anyone in the community and will start at noon. Hanna tells KNIA/KRLS that they will always take volunteers to help make the meal happen.

“It has progressed and grown and now we provide a meal and anyone is welcome to come in on Christmas Day morning and help us. We will start preparing around 9:00 am and the public is welcome to come and we can put napkins and silverware together or you can help with cooking. We’re going to keep it simple.”

The meal will take place from Noon-1:00 pm and the church is located at 313 E Montgomery St.