The Norman Christmas Day Community Dinner Foundation will host its 38th annual dinner on Dec. 25, giving free meals for those who are alone or unable to cook on Christmas.
The tradition started in 1987, when the Magarian family — a Norman family of six — organized a free community Christmas Day dinner at the St. Michael's Episcopal Church.
“My wife and I decided it was time to give back to the community, and we wanted to find something to do,” said Robert Magarian, former OU pharmacy professor and founder of the Norman Christmas Day Community Dinner Foundation.
The family served 20 people and had 24 volunteers at the first dinner. After two years, Magarian said the dinner was moved to Norman High School because of the increase in demand from residents.
“It's very rewarding to serve other people,” Magarian said. “We’ve learned one thing: That when we bring joy to others, we receive a lot of joy back.”
The foundation also partners with MealsOnWheels, a free food delivery nonprofit organization, to provide meals for those that cannot attend the dinner, but Magarian said the organization also gets call-ins.
Each year, the foundation delivers 300 meals on Christmas day with eight drivers, according to Magarian.
During the 2023 dinner, 2,000 meals were prepared with the help of 350 volunteers. Volunteers who are 16 or older can sign up through the foundation's website for most positions. Volunteers under 16 can work with a parent handing out toys.
Magarian said the foundation has had people signing up since October and have reached nearly 300 sign-ups.
“We have new people sign up and then, after they finish their duty they signed up for, some of them will come up and tell me," ‘It’s the first time I've done this, (and) I want to do it again,'” Magarian said.
After 37 years hosting the dinner, Magarian said the family has gained a lot of experience. This year, Magarian said the foundation will bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to hand out candy and take pictures with the children.
“We love doing it, and we want the people to come,” Magarian said. “Our motto is ‘no one should eat alone on Christmas Day.’ … We want anyone that feels like they want to come and be with other people and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.”
The dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the Norman High School cafeteria. There will also be gifts for children and adults.
People can donate through the foundation’s website or through mailed-in checks.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure. Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
