BAILEYTON, Ala. – The Parkside Outreach Program invites the community to its annual Christmas dinner on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Parkside Elementary School. This free event offers a sit-down meal in the school’s lunchroom or convenient to-go plates for those unable to stay.
This year’s menu includes chicken and dressing, green beans, corn, sweet potato casserole, rolls and desserts, with all items donated by local businesses and the Parkside Outreach Program. The dressing, a staple of the meal, is provided by Kim’s Parkside Restaurant, renowned for “the best dressing around.”
The evening will feature live entertainment beginning at 5, including Christmas carols performed by Parkside Kindergarten students and a play titled “I Believe in CHRISTmas” by New Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Jennifer Harlow, director of the Parkside Outreach Program, shared the history and inspiration behind the community Christmas dinner.
“We began hosting our Christmas Dinner Program at Parkside School last year when we outgrew Kim’s Parkside restaurant,” Harlow explained. “Kim had begun hosting the Christmas Eve meal several years ago. Once we found out what she was doing, Parkside Outreach joined in to help. She has been an inspiration to our community and we could not pull this off without her.”
Last year’s dinner served around 700 plates with the program anticipating to feed 1,000 people this year. Harlow credited the success of the event to the generosity of the Parkside community and its efforts.
“There are so many people within our community that have no family or no means to have a Christmas dinner,” Harlow said. “This is our way of spreading a little Christmas joy to those in need, and it is such a blessing to bring our community together for fellowship and a home-cooked meal.”
She added, “The Parkside community is a tight-knit community who takes care of their own. We are so blessed to be able to have the support of local businesses and members of our town who are always trying to find ways to improve our community and schools.”
Harlow also reflected on the broader mission of the Parkside Outreach Program, which has been supporting families since its founding in 2018. After her business, A&D Motors Inc., received the Cox Automotive Service Award and a $10,000 donation, Harlow established the nonprofit to assist the Parkside community. The program now provides essential services such as a food pantry and a Christmas Coalition to support families during the holiday season.
In addition to the Christmas dinner, the program will host a toy giveaway beginning Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., lasting throughout the week or until supplies run out.
“Parkside Outreach, with the assistance of local sponsors, has been able to provide Christmas for needy families for seven years. We will host our toy giveaway starting this Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m.” Harlow stated. “Last year we were able to provide over 700 children with Christmas thanks to the generosity of our local sponsors and Toys for Tots. We would almost be out of toys, and miraculously someone would pull up with another load. Anyone in need can get toys. Our goal is to have no toys left.”
Parkside Outreach Program is a 501(C)(3) located in Baileyton. The program operates a thrift store in the community to fund the local food pantry and the Christmas Coalition for the Parkside community. For more information about the Christmas dinner or the Parkside Outreach Program, contact the Parkside Outreach Program at 256-683-0715 or visit www.parksideoutreach.com. Donations are always welcome and appreciated to support its efforts in the community.
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