Salvation Army to host 24th annual Christmas Family Feast



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County will host the annual Christmas Family Feast at the Wisconsin Center District, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue from 11:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

A tradition in Milwaukee for 24 years, Christmas Family Feast is free and open to the entire community.

“We’re preparing to feed 8,000 to 10,000 people on Christmas Day, this wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors. The Christmas Family Feast is the largest feeding program hosted by The Salvation Army in the country on Christmas Day,” said Major Dan Jennings, Salvation Army Divisional Commander for Wisconsin & Upper Michigan.

10,000 people is a lot to cook for at one time. More than 1,200 volunteers come throughout the three day preparation period to help. Some donate their time to collection of the items, others to cooking and set-up, and still others come Christmas Day to help serve the meal.

As of Tuesday afternoon, they were ahead of schedule.

“It’s like watching it and seeing it for the first time. Watching all the people come in on Christmas Day. They are excited, and they feel good and they are enjoying the meal. It`s great to see the excitement of the volunteers. Everyone is just so full of joy. And that`s the beautiful thing about this time of year,” said Faithe Colas with the Salvation Army.

This year’s meal will consist of ham, turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, dinner rolls, an assortment of desserts and beverages.

Guests will also receive complimentary gifts while supplies last. Those gift packets were assembled on Christmas Eve.