It's Christmas evening, December 25, 2025 possibly the warmest Christmas in Steelville's history. Driving through neighborhoods and country roads, colorful lights shine on driveways packed with cars of family members and friends gathering together to celebrate the holiday. Although in every town there will be those who sit alone on Christmas day with only their memories of loved ones who were near. Memories of Christmas's past may warm the heart, but finding joy in Christmas present is what matters today.

This Christmas a group of friends came together to reach out to those who would be spending the holiday alone. After months of planning, Maureen Kush and Ben Stemmler fulfilled a dream they had last Christmas.

In 2024 as Maureen and Ben were exchanging gifts and sharing a Christmas feast with family and friends, they started talking about how something about the season was missing. Their needs were met and they had plenty to eat, but they wanted their children to see the importance of taking care of others who may struggle during the holidays and beyond. Their discussion led to ideas about how they could make the Christmas season more meaningful; perhaps volunteering at a soup kitchen in the big city or purchasing gifts for kids in need.

As the calendar months of 2025 passed and the holidays would soon be approaching, the couple revisited the topic. Reflecting on various ideas of what to do, the answer was in the question, “Why don't we try to put something together in our own community?”

Together with Beth Yount of the Singing Butcher Shoppe and Mike and Linda Spurgeon of Becker Road Baking Company the event planning was put into action. It would be a Christmas dinner for the community by the community. And so began the First Annual 'Come to the Table' Christmas dinner event. A small planning committee was formed and the ideas flowed. The event would be free to all who found themselves alone, without family or in need on Christmas day. The newly renovated Steelville Community Center was secured for the afternoon of December 25, 2025. There would be plenty of food, beverages, live music, activities for kids and holiday table settings.

An overwhelming amount of support from local residents and businesses reached out to help in any way they could. Donations of scarfs, gloves, socks and other necessities were given to anyone in need. Word got out that if anyone needed transportation to the dinner, someone would pick them up. Deliveries were made to those who could not be there in person. Over 30 volunteers joined in cooking, baking, serving, setting up and cleaning up. By the end of Christmas day, 150 people were served a warm Christmas meal as they enjoyed live music from Seed Tick Ridge.

As Maureen and Ben proudly watched their children help serve, clean up and assist other kids at the activity table, they no longer felt like something was missing in their holiday spirit. On this Christmas day in Steelville Missouri, it wasn't only the 70 degree temperatures outside that made it warm; it was the warmth in the hearts of those in the community experiencing the joy of giving to others. 

For more information or to take part in the Second Annual 'Come to the Table' Christmas dinner event for 2026, please send an email to SteelvilleChristmasDinner@gmail.com