Several people in Jefferson and the surrounding communities in Greene County enjoyed a free meal on Christmas Day.

Bill Berger is a trustee with the Jefferson Elks Lodge #2306 says a total of 243 meals were served on Christmas Day, and of that number, 120 dined in at the Jefferson Elks Lodge. Berger appreciates the support for this annual endeavor to give back to the community.

“We have a lot of people that if we have fliers for this and we ask if we can put them on up? ‘Yes, no problem’ they don’t hesitate whatsoever. So that helps to get the word out too. We seem to be pretty well received. We are the smallest community in the state of Iowa to support an Elks Lodge and we have over 200 members.”  

Berger thanks all of the businesses that donated prizes for bingo that took place after the meal at the Elks Lodge, Hy-Vee and Fareway for donating the entrees of the meal, the Jefferson Does Drove #196 for the homemade pumpkin pies, and the Iowa State University Horticulture Department for the poinsettias.