COEUR d’ALENE — The Altar Church provided more than free Christmas dinners Wednesday afternoon.

It also provided a place for people to be for the holiday.

“This is about community,” said volunteer Kayron Rhuman. “Christmas means giving to others. There’s so many people here that just needed someone to talk to today.”

This is the fifth year volunteers with The Altar Church have provided a free meal to those who need them on Christmas. Attendees also enjoyed warm, festive decor, music from a live pianist and holiday desserts.

Volunteers also delivered meals to those who were unable to leave home and provided transportation to those who needed a ride to and from the church.

“First, today is about celebrating the birth of Christ,” said organizer Stephanie Roberts. “It’s also all about serving ... we love people because God loved us first.”

Roberts added that her relationship with God is what has compelled her to serve her community.

“The lord has not only blessed me, but he has also saved my soul,” Roberts told The Press.

Roberts began putting together the yearly Christmas dinner during the COVID-19 pandemic, after illness rendered another church unable to provide meals.

“That’s the way God works, he’ll bring you more than you need,” Roberts said.

    Volunteers hand out all the Christmas classics during Wednesday's free Christmas dinner at the Altar Church.
  

    The Altar Church had a warm, festive ambiance for Wednesday's free Christmas dinner.