Free Christmas dinner returns

All Carlton County residents are, once again, invited to enjoy a free Christmas meal

11 a.m. -2 p.m. Dec. 25 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1000 Washington Ave. in Cloquet. The Christmas menu features appetizers, salad, dessert, meatballs, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and beverages.

The Carlton County Disabled American Veterans is the force behind the free meal, just like at Thanksgiving. So expect to see many of the same faces at the church, making sure there’s enough food for both sit-down and carryout meals. Delivery isn’t an option at Christmas.

One of those faces is Raffy Johnson’s, the DAV’s community meal planner, who took over the annual Christmas dinner from his father, the late Dave Johnson, part of the planning for decades at Zion. Johnson said it’s important to keep the tradition going for him and for all the people who enjoy having their Christmas meal together.

“People don’t have to call ahead at Christmas, just show up at the church and sit down or take your meal to go,” Johnson said. “We’ll take care of you.”

Want to volunteer for the kitchen, serving line or cleanup crew? Call Raffy Johnson at 218-590-4027.