The Christmas Dinner That Filled a Seattle Hall With 275 Children

At the Salvation Army barracks a Christmas dinner was given to over 275 poor children. The proposed feast had been well advertised, and as early as 10 o'clock the little ones began to troop down the hill from the residence districts and from the homes along the water front and gathered in front of the barracks. None were allowed inside until 1:30, when the doors were opened and they fairly invaded the place. The dinner was not ready until 2 o'clock, and for the next half hour, seated on long benches around the room, they played games, laughed, talked and sang school songs with greatest glee. The oldest of the children were not more than 12 and the majority under 10 years of age. There were even a few babies, who were carried by older children. All had clean hands, faces and garments. Their little shoes in some instances were often very muddy, but the fault is easily overlooked. The absence of ragged clothing was noticeable, for all were well dressed in clothing of cheap materials, but well made.

Promptly at the hour the big roast was brought in and the dinner began. The three long oilcloth-covered tables were set three times with nearly seventy-five covers each, but there may have been more. There was no formality about it, though, and no child was asked to leave the table hungry. Eighteen girls and men belonging to the Army acted as waiters, cake cutters and coffee pourers, and the Army band played several times during the meal. The bill of fare was: roast beef, boiled ham, mashed potatoes, cranberry and apple sauce and stewed prunes, corn starch pudding with brandy sauce, bread and butter, pies, cakes and coffee with cream.

Everything was well cooked in the kitchen below, and the coffee was made on a stove in the dining room. The meat and potatoes were bought with money contributed to the Army's Christmas fund, but everything else was donated. The cakes and pies were contributed by the ladies of the city, many of whom brought the pastry in person and remained to admire the happy children. A number of other well-known society people were visitors during the day, but the number of grown-ups was few and the children had the hall to themselves, subject to the mild discipline enforced by the officer in charge.

After the dinner two Christmas trees on the platform decorated with popcorn and tinsel were stripped of their ornaments and each child was given a cheese cloth bag of some bright color filled with a quantity of popcorn and a half a pound of candy and a toy or book, of which a quantity had been donated. The festivities were over at 6:30, in time to clear the hall for the regular services. In the soup kitchen downstairs nearly 200 men were given the usual plain dinner, but everything was free and no tickets or nickels were required from those applying for food.