It’s not too late to forgo cooking on Christmas Day.

Imagine hand-peeled and sliced scalloped potatoes, mouthwatering ham, cranberry sauce, green beans (of course) and dinner rolls and cookies from Pane d’ Amore, waiting for your fork.

That’s the menu for the annual Tri-Area Community Christmas meal this year, a tradition for over 20 years.

Traditionally enjoyed table side, the pandemic threw a few twists into the format.

“This is the third year we’ve had to do drive-up,” said Rita Hubbard, spokesperson for the event. Meals can be preordered by calling 360-379-4228, and can be picked up between noon and 2 p.m. Christmas Day.

Meal delivery will also be available from 10 a.m. to noon Christmas Day, thanks to volunteers.

“It’s for everyone who wants a meal,” Hubbard said. “Some people just don’t want to cook for Christmas.”

Thus far, 140 meals are reserved, but there’s enough fare to feed 300 to 325 people.

“We have a lot of people who just show up, which is fine,” she added.

Hubbard said there is lots of community support around the event. Olympic Community Action Program supplies the building (located at 10 West Valley Road, across from the Chimacum schools), God Bless Food catering “has been a huge supporter of us,” Hubbard confirmed, and First Security Bank has been a big player, among others.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Hubbard directly at 360-301-1104 or 360-385-3978.