Scout Troop 20’s Free Christmas Dinner for Pickup and Delivery Again This year

(KNSI) – St. Cloud area residents can again pick up or have a free Christmas meal delivered this year.

Waite Park Boy Scout Troop 20 will be cooking up a traditional Christmas feast during the 36th annual Christmas dinner. In 2020, the annual meal was for pickup or delivery only due to the pandemic, and the meal will be served the same way this year.

Former Scout Master Joe Cordie started the event and said despite people not being able to gather for the traditional meal at St. Joesph’s Church in Waite Park; volunteers were busier than ever.

“In prior years we would average somewhere around 800 meals either delivered or eaten in the church. Last year, we did just shy of 1100 meals. That was a record year.”

He says they’re preparing for another record number of meals to be served this year too. Cordie says it takes a lot of manpower to get the dinner served.

“We have people that will start working on this already on Thursday and Friday. Over the three days that we work on this to prep and get ready, you’ll have close to 100 volunteers that will step up during that different timeframes to help.”

The Scout Troop askes people to order ahead of time if possible. Meals can be ordered by calling 320-380-3794. The free meals will be picked up or delivered between 11:30 and 2:30 on Christmas Day. Delivery is available in St. Cloud, Waite Park, Sartell, St. Joseph and Sauk Rapids.

The Christmas dinner includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and dessert.