The event may be called “Christmas with Dignity” but a better name may be “Christmas with Dinner” because that is exactly what was provided to hundreds of families in need.

The annual event hosted by St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ironton again showed the caring and compassion of our churches and our entire community.

Once again the church provided boxes of food to 600 families in their time of need this holiday season, a need that has increased in recent years as the economy hit nearly record low points.

This event continues to meet a tremendous calling within our community and provides perhaps the most important gift of all: food.

The main food boxes came from $18,000 in donations from the local congregation and its partner at All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington. Those boxes were filled with chickens, vegetables and other staples. Also given out from the Lutheran Social Services were extras including fresh blueberries, loaves of breads, a dessert and bags of celery.

The entire church congregation, all the volunteers who helped and the church leadership all deserve to be commended for their commitment to this project.

For that, they all deserve to be honored as this week’s “Good News, Good Neighbors” feature.

This community project exemplifies both of these aspects perfectly.