photo by: Elvyn Jones

Volunteers prepare plates of food at the annual Community Christmas Dinner at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021.

Event organizers are seeking donations of turkeys and pies, as well as financial contributions for Lawrence’s Community Christmas Dinner, which is a free holiday meal for the public.

Volunteers are also needed to help with preparing, serving and cleaning after the meal, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St.

Organizers will be collecting 12- to 15-pound turkeys at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 14.

Pies of any flavor can be brought to First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., after 6 a.m. on Christmas Day.

If you are donating a turkey or need to make other arrangements to drop off a pie, please call Deb Engstrom at 785-727-3790.

In addition to the in-person dinner, meals will also be delivered on Christmas Day. Anyone who did not preorder a meal can request delivery by calling 785-841-1516 after 6 a.m. Dec. 25.

Monetary contributions are appreciated to offset costs of the meal. To donate, you may send a check to First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044. The check should be made out to First United Methodist Church with Christmas Dinner in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at fumclawrence.org; click on GIVE, then click on the donate button and select Christmas Dinner on the drop-down menu.

To volunteer, you can sign up, starting Thursday, on the FUMC website as well, or call 785-727-3790. The event is not accepting drop-in volunteers this year.