TROY – Christmas is all about doing a little something extra for another.

For those who may not get one, Zadocks Restaurant is offering a complimentary Christmas dinner to anyone in the community. It’s a tradition that first began 20 years ago when Ralph Coose, a Lincoln County resident, saw that other local communities were helping out their citizens.

“To see how much it has grown throughout the years and seeing our community come together to make this possible is amazing,” said Jessica Zumwalt, a longtime volunteer.

In past years, the event was held at Troy VFW Hall and Lincoln County Council On Aging (LCCOA). For the last 15 years, Zadocks has opened their doors on Christmas Day by preparing and serving all the meals — typically around 1,000.

Every year the dinner pays tribute to a community member that has passed away that was active throughout the county. This year, those honorees are Willalma Bishop and Nick and Kathy Allen.

Bishop was the first treasurer of the Lincoln County Youth Fair and the secretary of the Lincoln County Historical Society for several years. Kathy Allen was a teacher with Lincoln County R-III School District for 25 years and husband Nick served on the Lincoln County Fair Board and played a key role in locating the fairgrounds to its present location.

“Being part of this tradition is incredibly meaningful,” said JJ Arifi, Zadocks owner. “It’s humbling and rewarding to see the impact a meal can have not just on those we serve, but also on our team. It reinforces the values of kindness, compassion and gratitude, and reminds us of the true spirit of the holiday season.”

Coose has passed on the torch of overseeing the annual tradition to Zumwalt, along with Kristy Swofford and Mary Luebbers. To offset the cost of the meals, many businesses and organizations donate.

For this year’s meal, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, and corn are is on the menu for dine in and deliveries. Dine in meals are served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are around 30 volunteers that help deliver the meals.

“Providing a free Christmas meal allows us to bring our community together, offering warmth, connection, and a sense of belonging during the holiday season,” Arifi said. “For those who may feel isolated or are facing hardships, it’s a way to share joy and remind everyone that they are cared for and valued. It’s our way of giving back to the community that supports us year-round.”

Zadocks is located at 7 Troy Square. If anyone would like meals delivered please call Mary at 314-717-9782.