photo by: Sara Shepherd

From left, Kim Heck, of Lawrence, Mary Kate McWhirter, of Wichita, Tanya Pinegar, of Lawrence, and Josh and Shannon King, of Baldwin City, scoop food into to-go boxes at the Lawrence Community Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St. Volunteers delivered hundreds of meals throughout the community and served hundreds more people at the church.

Despite no indoor dining option due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawrence’s annual Community Christmas Dinner will still take place this Friday with to-go, delivery and outdoor seating options.

On Christmas from noon to 2 p.m., community members will be able to pick up free meals at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St. Those wishing to eat there can sit on the sidewalk outside the church, where, weather permitting, outdoor tables and space heaters donated by Global Cafe will be available. According to the National Weather Service in Topeka, the weather in Lawrence is supposed to be sunny with a high of 46 degrees on Friday.

People who would like a meal delivered to their home and who did not pre-order through a social service organization may call Deb Engstrom between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Christmas Day and she will make sure a meal is delivered. Engstrom can be reached at 785-727-3790.

For those seeking to donate food or money to the event, pies can be dropped off at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire St., between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday. If that time frame does not work or people do not want to leave their homes, Engstrom said people could call her for the pies to be picked up.

Engstrom said the community has been “very generous” thus far with donations, which may be sent via check to First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044, with Christmas Dinner in the memo line. Donations may also be made online through the church’s website, fumclawrence.org. Click on “GIVE,” then click on “Donate” and select Christmas Dinner from the drop-down menu.