Santa greets motorists outside of the Steelworkers union hall in Warsaw Tuesday morning, Dec. 24, as people lined up for free meals. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

WARSAW – Members of United Steelworkers Local 809 began dispersing hundreds of meals to the public as the sun rose on Tuesday morning in Warsaw.

Union members collected enough money to provide up to 437 sacks of unprepared meals to families shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, at the union hall at 420 Little League Drive, Warsaw.

The food was distributed to anyone who is in need. There were no restrictions.

Union President Jeff Hooker said the 437 meals marks the most they’ve ever prepared since the tradition began 11 years ago.

In 1997, the union began collecting toys and did so each Christmas for about 10 years, but the union then decided to do something different and began collecting money to pay for meals, according to Hooker.

“It’s the thing to do. Everyone loves doing it. You can see all the people love to come out here,” Hooker said. “This is what gets me in the Christmas spirit.”

The meals include a ham, 10lb bag of potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans and pudding. 

The food was purchased from Owen’s Supermarket.

Sacks of meals wait to be dispersed Tuesday morning, Dec. 24. Pictured from left are Jeff Hooker, president of the union; Kristy Hooker; and Brian Fanning, who serves as vice president. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

Steve Anderson hands a ham and other food to a carload of people who showed up Tuesday morning outside the Steelworkers union hall in Warsaw. Also pictured is Tresa Ford. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.