Four hundred and fifty people around the Panther Valley received Christmas dinner thanks to volunteers from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of the Panther Valley.

Members of the St. Vincent DePaul Society delivered hundreds of meals by car to people who might not have had a Christmas dinner otherwise.

“Some are our food pantry clients from the last year, but we also did shut-ins from the parish, and people who lost someone recently and might be dining alone,” said Christine LeClair, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph’s of the Panther Valley.

“450 meals out the door in just three hours,” LeClair said. “Many thanks to the bakers, delivery drivers, bag preparers, runners, candy donors, ornament makers, and contact info gatherers.”

The society delivers meals to people around the Panther Valley each Christmas and Easter, on top of a number of other community service projects. This year’s event was almost twice as big as last December’s 275 meals.

The meal, prepared by a local catering company at no cost to the church, included ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and sides. Companies donated rolls and bread, and St. Joseph’s Parishioners baked desserts.

Volunteers said they enjoy the brief exchanges as they drop off the meals. For some recipients the visit is just as welcome as the meal.

“The elderly are the ones who really appreciate it. They’re the ones who need it,” said Jilliane O’Gorman.