Lansford-based Feed the People held its community holiday dinner last week in the borough. Volunteers prepared a free Christmas dinner for more than 100 residents of the Panther Valley area. Children were able to get gifts and pictures from Santa.

Founder Rita Trucios said it's especially important to reach people who are living on their own during the winter, when the lack of human contact can be difficult."It's difficult because of all of the isolation. This is a place to meet neighbors and communicate," she said.Feed the People holds community dinners every month, with the exception of January and February. Trucios said that many families are reluctant to attend a community dinner, but there is nothing to worry about. They've had success reaching out to children through schools and day care centers. The children end up persuading their parents to attend, she said."It's hard to get people to come because of the stigma of a community kitchen," she said. "The kids don't have that. They just know Santa is here."Feed the People holds community dinners every month except January and February. The dinners are held the third Wednesday of each month 5-6:30 p.m. The next meal will celebrate Easter on March 16. All dinners are held at St. John Evangelist Lutheran Church on Abbot Street in Lansford. For more information, or to volunteer, call 570-657-1480."The holidays, for us, are just an inspiration," Trucios said.