Hudson church to serve free Christmas lunch

Dec. 16—HUDSON — On Christmas Day, one local church will be serving free meals to residents of Caldwell County.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, First Baptist Church of Hudson on 345 Main St., Hudson, will be serving free meals to the community from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. These meals consist of ham, green beans, corn, apples, a roll, and a dessert.

Donald and Myrtle "Happy" Austin started this annual event with their Sunday school class almost 15 years ago. Tammy Bradshaw, a church member and volunteer, has taken over as coordinator.

Sadly, Happy passed away earlier this year.

"We're really sad about that, and we want to honor her," said Bradshaw. "They were a great couple and dedicated to this, and we hope to continue it again."

During previous Christmas lunches, members of the community were invited to dine inside. However, due to the continued presence of COVID, as well as to alleviate the volunteers on Christmas Day, meals will be served only in the drive-thru or by delivery. Deliveries are for Caldwell County residents only.

To schedule a meal delivery, please call First Baptist Church at 828-728-4297 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

"I think we did such a good job last year, I want to do a good job again this year," Bradshaw said. "I want to make sure everybody who needs a meal, gets a meal. We can't fellowship as much as we want to with the community, and hopefully we'll start that up next year. But we want to make sure, if nothing else, they get a meal that day.

"Jesus is the one inviting them to eat. To me, this is his meal, and I'm just serving it," she added. "We want everybody in our community to know that the people at First Baptist love our community, and we want everyone to have a happy Christmas."