PARIS – Two churches will host free dinners on Christmas Day to provide a community gathering for people.

The first will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on East Main Street. The second will take place at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church on Buckfield Road.

Beth Rice, organizer for the Lutheran church event, said the dinner began six years ago.

Arlene Kerr, a member of the informal group Friends of Oxford Hills, said the group has been organizing meals for the past seven years and started using space at the Congregational Church four years ago.

“We believe that friends and family and community are very important, and no one should be alone for Christmas,” Kerr said.

She said food for the dinner is donated by local people and businesses. People may also pick up food from the dinner to eat at home, and organizers can deliver food to people as well. Leftovers are sent home with attendees, and any excess in donations is given to charitable organizations.

Rice said transportation is available to the Lutheran church’s dinner. Church members bring in desserts and gifts for distribution, and food is donated and purchased from the pastor’s discretionary fund.

“Everybody takes home leftovers,” she said.

Kerr said no other events accompany the meal at the Congregational church, although a piano is available if someone wants to play Christmas carols.

Rice said Santa Claus will hand out gifts at 3 p.m. at the Lutheran church, and a short prayer will follow the meal for anyone interested.

Kerr said the Friends of the Oxford Hills served 140 sit-down meals last year, along with 50 takeout meals. Rice said the Lutheran church hosted about 48 people last year.

For more information on the Friends of the Oxford Hills meal, contact Kerr at 674-5279 or Barbara Murphy at 674-5185.

For more information on the Lutheran church meal, phone 743-6906.