By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The annual Community Christmas Dinner served 964 people this year.

Meals were offered for free through the United Way of Ellis County and the Schmidt Foundation.

The dinner looked a little different this year because of the pandemic. Meals provided by Thirsty's and The Press were served cold in reheatable containers.

Pick up was Wednesday afternoon and evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608766825114.jpeg" alt="A volunteer loads Christmas dinners in a vehicle during the Community Christmas Dinner meal pick up Wednesday at Thirsty's." />
 <figcaption>A volunteer loads Christmas dinners in a vehicle during the Community Christmas Dinner meal pick up Wednesday at Thirsty's.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe annual Community Christmas Dinner served 964 people this year.Meals were offered for free through the United Way of Ellis County and the Schmidt Foundation.The dinner looked a little different this year because of the pandemic. Meals provided by Thirsty's and The Press were served cold in reheatable containers.Pick up was Wednesday afternoon and evening.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767160658.jpeg" alt="Erica Berges, United Way of Ellis County director, helps a woman with her Christmas dinner order on Wednesday at Thirsty's." />
 <figcaption>Erica Berges, United Way of Ellis County director, helps a woman with her Christmas dinner order on Wednesday at Thirsty's.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767334647.jpeg" alt="Volunteers sort Christmas dinner Wednesday at Thirsty's." />
 <figcaption>Volunteers sort Christmas dinner Wednesday at Thirsty's.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767477910.jpeg" alt="Volunteers load Christmas dinners into a car&nbsp;Wednesday at The Press." />
 <figcaption>Volunteers load Christmas dinners into a car&nbsp;Wednesday at The Press.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767633648.jpeg" alt="Volunteer Tabitha Keith checks off families as they collect their holiday dinners Wednesday at The Press." />
 <figcaption>Volunteer Tabitha Keith checks off families as they collect their holiday dinners Wednesday at The Press.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767799197.jpeg" alt="Volunteers pack bags containing Christmas dinners Wednesday at The Press." />
 <figcaption>Volunteers pack bags containing Christmas dinners Wednesday at The Press.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608767964015.jpeg" alt="A volunteer hands Christmas dinners to a women Wednesday at Thirsty's." />
 <figcaption>A volunteer hands Christmas dinners to a women Wednesday at Thirsty's.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis County Community Christmas Dinner serves 964