Pandemic doesn't stop Community Christmas Dinner

Havre held its annual Community Christmas dinner, feeding 602 people Friday, a little down down from 800 in previous years, continuing a four-decade tradition that went on despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I want to thank all the wonderful people in this community that stepped up to the plate and made sure everybody got fed and those that needed it got it," Eagles Club Tom Farnham said this morning. "Hopefully, we will continue over the years. What a great community, we take care of each other."

The Eagles Club again hosted the dinner, but Farnham was not able to be present Christmas Day due to quarantine. 

He was back in the club this morning.

About 50 volunteers, down from 100 in previous years, helped with the event. Some volunteers, including the Montana Hammers and Havre Jaycees, delivered the meals to people at home. Other volunteers made the food and filled plates for people who came into the Eagles Club to get their plates. 

People could not eat in the club, as in past years. They went in one door, picked up their meal and left by another.

Volunteers were fed a Christmas dinner as well. The dinner activities in the club ran from about 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., but volunteers were there much longer preparing for the event and for cleanup as well. 

Many people donated to the dinner as well. The monetary donations went to buying the food and supplies for the dinner.

Farnham said that the food that is left over from the dinner will be given to the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen to continue feeding people who need it.