Eugene, Ore. – This is the sixth year of the Eugene Police Holiday Dinner at the SVdP Lindholm Center, after a few years hiatus forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On December 13, Eugene Police Department staff served meals to people at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County (SVdP) Lindholm Center, on Hwy. 99N.
This year Officer David Clark (in picture front), who organizes these events, created a summer BBQ at the center to get the ball rolling again. The event was an opportunity to build trust and relationships, show compassion to those in need, and create a family environment of great food, music, conversation and holiday cheer.
Food was donated by longtime supporter Bruns Apple Market, and cooking of the rolls and turkeys were once again provided by New Day Bakery. EPD’s Sarah Power and Ekklesia Church provided the homemade pies. Several staff made all of the caramelized carrots for the meal. The Eugene Police Foundation provided funds for everything other than the turkeys.
Music was courtesy of The Holiday Katz and Sassafras.
The Lindholm Center serves a significant role in our community by providing hot showers, free laundry services, two meals a day year-round, a location to receive mail, social services, and a place to stay warm. The Center also coordinates Dawn to Dawn, providing a year-round congregate tent shelter for unhoused individuals, and the Egan Warming Centers program, which provides people with warm places to sleep during periods of life-threatening cold. In recognition of the incredible services that the Center provides, this Holiday Dinner brings together the Eugene Police with local restaurants and businesses to buy and donate a complete holiday meal, and EPD serves the meal to the clients.
(Information from EPD – photo from SVdP))
