The spirit of holiday generosity came early to the Multi-Service Center on Saturday, Dec. 16, as the community came together to feed and clothe its own. 

That day, the Center held its annual Christmas dinner for seniors, veterans and people in need. 

Organizer Deneen Rose said it's her ninth year holding the dinner, which began at the Onset VFW before moving into the Multi-Service Center. 

"We give [people] a free meal, which consists of chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, [...] corn, cranberry sauce, rolls [and] a desert," said Rose. "They sit here, they enjoy themselves, have a meal, do shopping, get a goodie bag — that's basically it.”

That experience was only possible because of the groups that came together to create it. 

"The community came together with me today," said Rose. She mentioned the police department, Home Depot and Starbucks as donating organizations. 

The Rotary Club supplied the gathering with new socks, courtesy of a partnership with Bomber Socks. 

Racks of clothes were available for people to take, courtesy of Walt's Mobile Closet. 

Walt's is an organization that collects clothes and distributes them to the homeless and those in need all along the South Coast, said Director Whitney Tully. 

"I reached out to Deneen last year and offered to come, and then she invited us back this year," Tully said. 

"Clothes are expensive — and [people] get some nice bling, too," she added, gesturing at a table of jewelry. 

The event packed the dinner hall at the Multi-Service Center. 

Volunteer Michelle said this year’s event was busier than the year before.

Community member Winna Dean said she almost wasn't going to come this year, but was glad she did. 

"I got to see… a lot of people I haven't seen, because everybody's been so sick and away from everything," Dean said.