The Great Christmas Bread Mix-Up
When an anonymous delivery of 150 loaves of bread arrived at a charity dinner by mistake, the organizers turned a clerical error into a holiday miracle.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
One Christmas day some years ago, Almas Temple of the Shriners of Washington gave its annual dinner to the poor. It was a well-planned affair, generously contributed to, and turned out a big success. While the Shriners were feeding their guests there came to their hall 150 loaves of bread. In the middle of the festivities, a Santa Claus entered carrying a colossal basket full of bread, and behind him were three or four men, also carrying baskets. One of the committee members inferred it was a gift and signed a receipt. The loaves were distributed to the families, adding a smile of Christmas joy. When the festivities were nearly over, a man came to the committee: 'Did you get 150 loaves of bread?' 'We did,' was the reply. 'What did you do with it?' 'Gave it away.' 'Well, that was an order from the Carroll Institute. It came here by mistake. But it is all right. We are glad you gave it away, and if you need more let us know.' And the man went away, fully satisfied with the incident.
“It came here by mistake. But it is all right. We are glad you gave it away.”
This 1917 account highlights the long-standing role of local organizations in managing food insecurity in Washington. Even a century later, the logistical challenges of holiday charity—and the grace with which communities handle accidental surplus—remain a familiar feature of civic life.
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