By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont Soup Kitchen held its annual Christmas dinner on Thursday night, where members of the community were able to dine together over a ham dinner, and children got to meet Santa and walk away with a present.
The annual free event kicked off at 4 p.m., and much like the Thanksgiving meal, the room was packed from the start. The ham dinner was cooked by Executive Director Cindy Stevens and Roy Stone, and included mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas and a variety of desserts. The hams came in on donation through Feed America.
“Our tables have been full since probably five after (four), and now we have people here to see Santa,” Stevens said. “Everybody was waiting for Santa, and he came a little early this year so we could get everyone a chance to meet him and have the tables all cleared. It’s been great.”
Santa has been coming to the Soup Kitchen every year for the Christmas dinner and has also been making his way around to other events in the Claremont area. He said the important aspect of Thursday’s dinner was that everyone was there with a smile on their face, especially the children when he sauntered through the door.
“It’s really all about the kids, period,” Santa said. “The smiles on their faces and the stories they tell.”
Kristina and Samantha Lawrence were there with their two-year-old daughter Tammy, who was a little mystified by the big man in red. Kristina chalked it up to a little bit of “stranger danger,” but Samantha said it was cool to bring Tammy to see Santa at this point in her life. She recalled going to Walmart when she was a young child to go see him, and she loves being able to continue that kind of Christmas tradition with their daughter.
Samantha recognized the importance of the Soup Kitchen holding this event during what can be a difficult time of year for many.
“It is important because there are a lot of kids out there who don’t have families,” Sam said. “Some can’t afford Christmas and don’t really have anything to look forward to. We’ve been coming to the Soup Kitchen forever, and they’re really great with the kids. They spoil her.”
Penny Labree attends the Christmas dinner each year, and she praised the work of the Soup Kitchen staff and volunteers for putting together such a great event.
“I think they do a phenomenal job,” Labree said.
Sitting with Labree was Bruce, Roy and Melissa Wilkins, who all agreed that the meal was excellent. Roy expressed his appreciation for the Soup Kitchen, saying that they always do a really good job. Bruce added that the Soup Kitchen is essential for many in the community, especially during the holiday season.
“Thank God for this place. A lot of people don’t have a lot of stuff,” Bruce Wilkins said. “You know how it is. Landlords are raising rent and that’s not right either. So, this helps.”
Krystara Bergeron was with one-year-old Zuri Bah, and she said the event is a show of how special the Claremont community is.
“Thankfully everyone here helps each other,” she said. “There are a lot of resources out here for people who need it.”
Two volunteers were Lynda and Larry Trepanier, with Lynda saying that the work of the Soup Kitchen staff and volunteers is “inspirational.” Fellow volunteer Fran Williams said the event is “awesome,” and that it has an extra special feeling with the kids all there excited for Santa. But in the end, it is all about helping those in need celebrate the holidays together.
“We are helping so many people, and that’s what it’s all about,” Williams said.
Erica Kennett of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has volunteered at past events like the Thanksgiving Dinner and the Fall Breakfast, and she said the most heartwarming aspect is seeing everyone socializing whether they know each other well or not. The positivity that filled the air was palpable, and Kennett could not be happier with the way the dinner went.
“Everyone is so pleasant and nice, and if you look around there’s just all happy people,” she said. “It’s a good atmosphere here today.”
