The Banquet Table, a food and family ministry of Living Water Christian Fellowship Church located in Boone, is celebrating the Christmas holidays with the spirit of giving.

“The holiday season is truly the most wonderful time of the year,”said Keri Hamrick, director of The Banquet Table, along with her husband, Terry. “This is a time where people are so very busy, but most people think about giving to others, and that is what we are asking our community to do, think about others who may not be as fortunate, and to give food and toys to families who need a helping hand.”

In operation for six years, The Banquet Table assists anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people a month on a weekly basis, who otherwise cannot make ends meet without some kind of help.

“We have bakery, deli items, produce, and, when available, meat, every week after our Sunday service. Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m. and we would love for everyone to atten; however, there are no requirements or restrictions to receiving the food,” Hamrick said.

“During the year, The Banquet Table has various community outreaches, but the holidays are an exciting time, ending with our annual Christmas Community Give-Away,” she said.

“We ask our local businesses to host a food and toy donation box in their business … We also have a friendly competition going between all of the businesses to help raise community awareness of the needs in our own backyard,” Hamrick said. “It really becomes a win-win situation for all those involved by helping out families in need, and by promoting local businesses.” The Banquet Table will be collecting toys and food until Dec. 19, but encourages donating throughout the year. The donations are tax deductible.

The holiday collection will culminate with a special Christmas service on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. which will feature singing and a children’s play, and the Christmas Community Give-Away.

The church is located at 247 Boone Heights Drive, between the Goodwill facility and the Boone Bowling Center.

The Banquet Table is collecting food and toys for families in need during this Christmas season. It will be accepting new unwrapped toys for all ages, as well as boxed and canned goods until Dec. 19 at the locations listed below.

Financial donations can be given by contacting Terry and Keri Hamrick at 828-295-7498, or Living Water Christian Fellowship at 828-264-4070.

The Banquet Table will sponsor a special Christmas service on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Living Water Christian Fellowship, located at 247 Boone Heights Drive in Boone. Food, toys and other donated items will be given out after the service.

Businesses were collection boxes are set up include the following: High Country Media; Higher Grounds; Mack Brown Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC; Goody’s;

Beef O’Brady’s; Golden Corral; Smokes–N-More; Ross Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge;

Kmart; University Nissan; Norman Cheek’s Toyota of Boone; Big Lots; Mountain 1st Bank; Movie Gallery; Wachovia; Boone Ford, Lincoln, Mercury;

High Country Honda; Bank of America; Curves; Boone Police Department;

CiCi’s Pizza; Meadowbrook Inn; Highland’s Restaurant; Green Mother Goods;

Stick Boy Bread Co.; Blockbuster; Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department; and Southern States.