Salvation Army of Milwaukee County setting up for 33rd annual Christmas Day dinner

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County is preparing to provide meals for their 33rd annual Christmas Day Family Feast, offering a hearty Christmas dinner to area residents in need.

Hundreds of volunteers are set to prepare and serve a homestyle Christmas dinner for thousands of people at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee on Sunday, Dec. 25.

COVID-19 concerns led to carry-out dinners being provided last year, but a more conventional sit-down dinner is being offered this year.

The Wisconsin Center's doors will open at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, with the meal being served from 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Meals will be made available to the public free of any charge, with the dinner consisting of turkey, ham, yams, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green beans as well as dessert.

Sheree Dallas Branch, Assistant Divisional Director of Development, told CBS 58 on Wednesday, Dec. 21 that they expect to serve 5,000 individuals with over 450 volunteers scheduled to participate. She also noted that individuals in the area are served 365 days a year, with the Christmas meal being an extension of what they already offer.

Branch added, "We are proud to bring [the feast] back in person. We're glad we'll be able to open the doors of the Wisconsin Center, greet people and welcome them to a warm place: not only warm with heat but warm with love and joy."

There will be more to enjoy beyond the hot meal at Sunday's event, with other signs of Christmas cheer being featured, including Santa Claus, free haircuts and a children's book signing.

The Wisconsin Center is located at 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee.

Although preparation has already begun for Sunday's meal, it is never too late to help contribute to the Salvation Army. For more information, visit the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County online.