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Bounty of Bethlehem seeks volunteers as it swings into final prep

Bounty of Bethlehem volunteer opportunities are flexible, with options to give an hour, a full day, or multiple shifts between now and Christmas Day.

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 15, 2025

As Christmas Day approaches, preparations for the 43rd annual Bounty of Bethlehem Dinner are entering their most important phase, and community volunteers are needed in the final stretch.

All meal preparation, volunteering, food donations and Christmas Day service will take place at the Salvation Army Dining Hall, 239 E. 3rd Ave., where the community will once again come together to serve thousands of neighbors.

Opportunities remain available across multiple days, times and tasks, making it easy for individuals, families, church groups, and businesses to lend a hand in ways that fit their schedules. While months of planning and promotion have laid the groundwork, the success of this cherished community tradition depends on what happens between now and Dec. 25, when dozens of volunteers come together to prepare, serve and coordinate a traditional Christmas meal.

Each year, volunteers work side by side to complete the many tasks required to serve more than 2,500 meals in just a few short hours on Christmas Day. From food preparation and decorating to serving guests, assembling to-go meals, coordinating deliveries, and cleanup, every role plays an essential part in ensuring the day runs smoothly. Volunteers may sign up in advance for a specific role or time, or simply stop by the Salvation Army, where volunteer leaders will gladly put people to work.

“Every year, we see the miracle of what happens when this community comes together,” said Dr. Chris Wilson, Executive Director of Bounty of Bethlehem. “It takes an army of volunteers and generous donors to make this meal possible, and we are already seeing that energy build again for 2025.”

In addition to volunteering, community members can also support the Christmas Day Dinner by donating frozen turkeys, hams and desserts. Donations of these items are being accepted Dec. 19–21 and may be dropped off at the Salvation Army, where volunteers will be preparing meals for Christmas Day.

The Christmas Day Dinner will be Thursday, Dec. 25, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army Dining Hall. Guests are welcome to dine in or pick up meals to go. The dinner is free and open to the public.

In addition, special meal deliveries will be made to homebound neighbors through Bounty of Bethlehem’s partnership with Meals on Wheels, as well as to civil servants and first responders working on Christmas Day.

Healthcare workers working holiday shifts are encouraged to stop by the dining hall during their break to enjoy a hot, freshly prepared meal and a few moments of rest and fellowship in a welcoming, holiday-decorated space.

Volunteer opportunities are flexible, with options to give an hour, a full day, or multiple shifts between now and Christmas Day. Roles are available for people of all ages and abilities and no prior experience is required.

To sign up for a volunteer spot, visit www.bountyofbethlehem.com. To donate, send a check to BOB Fund, P.O. Box 742, Horse Shoe, NC 28742. Email: BountyofBethlehemDirector@gmail.com