December 23, 2009 - Millville -- The staff at Bethel Development Corp. made sure the snow didn't cancel their annual Christmas meal.  The nonprofit organization for the Bethel AME Church on South 5th Street hired a contractor to plow streets and area parking lots near the church Tuesday so it could welcome guests and receive deliveries for the event.

The crews trudged through the snow Monday to begin preparation for the meal, which in past years has drawn nearly 600 people.

"We thought about postponing it, but I knew people would come," Pastor Charles E. Wilkins said. "Some people need to eat, and they have no place to go."

The organization also collected winter clothing for area children and delivered food baskets to 20 families who were in serious need, said Hope Heldreth, Bethel director of operations.

The kitchen is now serving 3,400 meals a month and distributing food to 800 families through its food pantry, despite a decline in donations, she said.

Participation on Tuesday wasn't as high as other years, but residents raved about the quality of the food and the opportunity to spend time with one another before Christmas.

Millville resident Ryan Powell said he didn't know what he would do for Christmas, but made sure to be at Bethel for the event.

"I'm really happy when I come here," he said. "The food is always good."

Earleen Stafford said she will spend Christmas with her mother, but enjoyed having a meal with such a large group.

"We live alone, but the people here are great," she said. "We can come here and celebrate with other people."