The Christmas dinner at St. Lucy's Church in Scranton has never been about the food, although attendees praise the turkey, stuffing and trimmings.
The daylong public meal that serves about 3,000 annually is about sharing company rather than being alone.
People such as Bernadette Kowanick of Ransom, whose husband died seven years ago and whose family is in Oklahoma, would have been alone if not for the annual dinner run by Scranton businessman Bob Bolus.
"It's important to be with people, and I appreciate this meal," Mrs. Kowanick said.
Much the same sentiment is expressed about a University of Scranton Christmas breakfast held on campus, sponsored by the school concessionaire Aramark and served by school students and staff. That breakfast, now in its fourth year, is a gift to the community from the university.
Like it, the Christmas dinner is just an excuse of sorts for an event that is about camaraderie, said Mr. Bolus.
While most people cherish Christmas and the holidays, Mr. Bolus said for some it can be loneliest time of year with rates of depression and suicide increasing. A long-haul truck driver, Mr. Bolus identifies with the people who come the dinner in search of company and friendly face.
"People should not be alone, behind a door, by themselves on Christmas Day," he said.
The line between attendee and volunteer is fine to non-existent at the event.
Some of the 50 or so who work from a few hours to two days are like Joanne Dodgson, of Peckville, who has celebrated her Christmas working the dinner for the last 18 years.
Others are like Lisa Yantorn, of Scranton. Recently divorced with most of her family deceased or out-of-town, Ms. Yantorn arrived for dinner and Mr. Bolus asked her to grab an apron. She worked the rest of the afternoon.
"I came for a meal and some company," she said. " But I was able to do something for the community and I left with the holiday spirit."
Mr. Bolus, a Scranton businessman becomes the jolly philanthropist for Christmas, financing the meal, carving turkeys, and keeping business and politics out. With a white beard to match his white hair, he has more than passing resemblance to Santa Claus.
When a volunteer driver come back from deliveries which a check from one of the meal recipients, Mr. Bolus said he will not accept it and will mail it back to the donor, asking her to give the money to a charity. He accepts in-kind contributions - of food, for example - but no cash donations.
arly on in the dinner, Mr. Bolus' volunteers presented him with a plaque featuring a picture of him carving a turkey, as a way to thank him for the contribution to the community at Tuesday's 18th annual dinner.
Christmas is a holiday for family and many attendees were like Fred Kopki of West Scranton. They have friends, but don't went to be an imposition. Mr. Kopki's family is in Florida, so he attended the dinner. As he enjoyed dessert, a volunteer offered him coffee and wished him a "Merry Christmas".
"I would have been home sleeping on the couch," he said. "But this is a nice holiday atmosphere with friendly people and food as good as homemade."
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com.