MARION (WSIL) -- Hundreds of people made their way to the First Church of God in Marion Wednesday for a traditional Christmas dinner, an event organizers said keeps growing each year.
"We talked about a Thanksgiving meal, but we landed on Christmas because it seems like a lot of people do Thanksgiving meals, but nobody was doing anything for folks on Christmas," said Senior Pastor Roy Pepmiller, adding that what began as a way to bring their congregation together for a Chirstmas dinner has grown into a community event.
"The folks in the community, several different businesses, when we contacted them and say, 'We're going to need to feed four-or-five hundred people,' and they say, 'How about we just donate," said Pepmiller.
Those donations, both big and small, bring the community together to help keep this annual event open to everyone.
"Everybody who comes in is so appreciative, so excited about just having a place to be with people at Christmas."
Marion resident Kelly Knight was there with her children, she said if possible, they'll be back next year.
"They had such a wonderful spread of food, more than I could have imagined, it's just really been a blessing this Christmas, I'm just very thankful," said Knight.
Pepmiller says the church has a history of serving others and giving back. "And then when you see the folks who come to eat and you get to visit with them, and you hear their stories, 'I would have been home by myself today,' or, 'I was unable to do this for myself today,' that sort of thing makes such a huge difference."
Church representatives said planning for the dinner begins in October and they invite other community churches to get involved and share the day with them.
