MILWAUKEE — The Salvation Army is getting ready for its 34th annual Christmas Family Feast at The Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee.
Hundreds of volunteers prepare and serve the feast each year. This year, the Salvation Army said it expects about 4,000 people to show up.
Sheree Dallas Branch is the assistant divisional director for the Salvation Army. She said the feast is a free sit-down dinner for anyone who shows up on Christmas Day between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“I think that’s the beauty of the Christmas Family Feast — it really does bring people together from all walks of life. From corporate execs to the family that may be having a struggle, or just maybe I’m an individual and I don’t have any family here at all,” said Dallas Branch.
Tammy Ripp is a Salvation Army board member and a volunteer prep cook for the Family Feast.
“This is actually the largest Family Feast in the United States; that many people don’t realize,” said Ripp.
Tony Bradt volunteers at the Family Feast with many of his co-workers. He said the event helps the community come together as a family.
“Anyone’s welcome; come down, you are part of a bigger family,” said Bradt.
Dallas Branch said she hopes everyone will bond together and inspire each other to build a strong community.
“We hope that this event is not only not only a meal, but also provides hope and it provides joy, it provides a sense of community and that I believe is what I take away every year,” said Dallas Branch.